Mbappé Praises Messi, Places Him Alongside Ronaldo at Football’s Pinnacle
During a pre-match press conference for the French national team, Kylian Mbappé was posed a direct question regarding the greatest player in the world. When asked to choose between himself, Erling Haaland, and Lionel Messi, the young superstar offered a clear and decisive answer.
Mbappé’s Verdict on Football’s Elite
Mbappé stated unequivocally, “Undeniably Messi. It’s clear that he is the world’s best player. Messi stands at the summit alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.” This statement has garnered significant attention across the global football community, not for the question itself, but for the profound respect shown in Mbappé’s response.
France enters the current World Cup as one of the strong favorites, alongside other top contenders. The team kicked off their campaign with a convincing 3-1 victory over Senegal in their opening group stage match, with Mbappé netting two goals. Their next fixture is scheduled against Iraq.
Context of the Question and Previous Performances
The journalist’s question, posed during a scheduled press briefing on the 22nd, followed a string of notable performances from top players. Messi himself had already recorded a hat-trick in Argentina’s opening 3-0 win against Saudi Arabia. England captain Harry Kane contributed two goals to his team’s 4-2 victory against Croatia. Meanwhile, Norway’s star striker Erling Haaland also scored twice, leading his team to a 4-1 win over Iraq.
The journalist further pressed, noting that both Kane and Haaland had achieved similar results to Mbappé, while Messi had scored three goals. The question was: “Who do you think is the best among these four?”
Mbappé Includes Ronaldo in His Pantheon
Mbappé responded, “The best player among myself, Haaland, Kane, and Messi is undeniably Messi. It is clear he is the world’s best player, a presence standing at the summit alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.” Notably, although Ronaldo was not part of the initial question, Mbappé brought him into his answer, demonstrating a deep respect for his idol.
While Ronaldo’s Portugal began their World Cup campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he played the full match without a single shot on target, Mbappé’s inclusion of him in the conversation highlights a continued acknowledgement of his legendary status.
Focus on Team Success Over Individual Accolades
Mbappé concluded his remarks by shifting the focus from individual rankings to team objectives. “Who is the best is for people to decide,” he stated. “What I am thinking about is how to help the team in tomorrow’s match against Iraq. And what can be done to bring home the trophy. That’s all.”
This sentiment suggests that for Mbappé, team success and winning the championship take precedence over individual accolades and being recognized as the absolute best in the world.
