Kylian Mbappé’s hat-trick ball signed by Messi, a treasured 2022 World Cup keepsake | OneFootball

According to L'Équipe, Kylian Mbappé has kept the match ball from the 2022 World Cup final, signed by Lionel Messi, a prized reminder amid their duel to be the competition’s all-time top scorer.

The Qatar showpiece remains bitter for Mbappé, who scored a hat-trick yet France lost after a 3-3 draw and a 4-2 shootout, Argentina and Messi taking the trophy. The pair, then PSG team-mates, share strong mutual respect.

He was not yet France captain that night. Rather than gathering only team-mates’ autographs, he asked the number 10, Messi, to sign the ball after Messi’s brace and first World Cup success.

He keeps the unique relic carefully, alongside other mementoes from his career.

Mbappé scored two in his opener against Senegal, 3-1, and Messi hit a hat-trick against Algeria, 3-0, on Tuesday. Mbappé has 14 goals across three World Cups, Messi 16 in six, level with Miroslav Klose.

Source: L'Équipe