FIFA World Cup 2026: Messi is the best player, along with Ronaldo, says Kylian Mbappe
New York, June 22
Kylian Mbappe dismissed comparisons with football's biggest stars, saying Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the best players and that such discussions are not for him.
He said his focus is solely on winning another World Cup with his team. Mbappe emphasised living in the present and enjoying the tournament rather than worrying about comparisons or future legacy.
Mbappe stressed that his priority is helping France mount another successful World Cup campaign.
"Messi is the best player, along with Cristiano, that's clear. I'm trying to help my team win another World Cup. The rest is just debate for the journalists. Right now, I'm not thinking about Haaland; maybe they're thinking about us, but I'm thinking about Iraq," Mbappe stated, as quoted by Marca as per Goal.com.
"Messi has shown what we've seen, that's a debate for people, it's good, but it's not something on my mind. What I want is to bring the trophy home. I won't be here when I turn 40; they'll have kicked me out before then. I don't make future plans; I only think about the present moment, about enjoying the World Cup," he added.
Mbappe also downplayed talk of breaking the World Cup all-time scoring record, saying his focus is on helping his team win and secure qualification. He acknowledged that goals will naturally bring him closer to the milestone, but stressed that team success matters most.
He also praised Messi's consistency in front of goal, saying he expected him to score.
"It's always a pleasure to be there, and the important thing is the match because we have to qualify. I already knew Leo was going to score because he always scores. I'm behind him, but if you score, you get closer, but the most important thing for me is winning the World Cup," he said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As an American football fan, I appreciate how Mbappe isn't getting caught in the hype. But I do think he's downplaying himself too much. He's already a World Cup winner at 24! 😊 His focus on the present is admirable, though. Unlike some players who talk about legacy from day one.
I remember watching Messi and Ronaldo dominate for years, and now Mbappe is carrying that torch. His maturity is incredible for someone so young. In India, we see our own footballers growing, and it's refreshing to see a star prioritize team success over personal records. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
I get his point about living in the moment, but let's be real - comparisons are part of sports. From a fan's perspective, debates about who's better are fun! But respect to Mbappe for keeping his head down. He's right that Messi and Ronaldo set an unmatched standard. 👍
I love how Mbappe speaks like a true team player. 'I'm thinking about Iraq' - that's the kind of focus we need in our own sports culture here in India. Too often players get obsessed with individual glory. He's a role model for young athletes everywhere! 🌟
Mbappe's humility is refreshing, but I wonder if he's being too cautious. A player of his caliber should embrace being in the conversation. Still, his approach is better than the ego trips we see from some stars. Let's see if he can lead France to back-to-back World Cups! 🔥
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