Mbappe Dismisses Comparisons, Praises Messi and Ronaldo
Kylian Mbappe has firmly dismissed comparisons with football's biggest stars, stating that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the best players and that such discussions are not for him. Speaking ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, the French forward emphasized that his focus is solely on winning another World Cup with his team.
Living in the Present, Not Worrying About Legacy
Mbappe stressed the importance of living in the present and enjoying the tournament rather than worrying about comparisons or future legacy. He made it clear 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 via Goal.com.
Focus on Team Success Over Individual Records
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.
"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 added.
Messi's Consistency Praised
Mbappe praised Messi's consistency in front of goal, saying he expected him to score. The French star also reflected on his own future, noting that he won't be playing at age 40. "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 said.
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