Mbappé Hails Messi as the Greatest, Keeps Ronaldo in the Debate

French captain praises Messi’s brilliance and acknowledges Ronaldo’s legacy while chasing his own World Cup history.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has already delivered fireworks in its opening round, with football’s biggest names lighting up the group stage. Lionel Messi stole the headlines by scoring a stunning hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria, a performance that brought him level with Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup record of 16 goals. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Harry Kane each netted braces for their nations, ensuring the tournament began with a flurry of goals.

Ahead of France’s second group-stage clash against Iraq in Philadelphia, Mbappé was asked to rank himself among Messi, Haaland, and Kane. Without hesitation, the French captain placed Messi at the top. “The best of the four players? Lionel Messi,” he said with a smile, leaving no room for doubt. His response reflected not only admiration for Messi’s enduring brilliance but also recognition of the Argentine’s historic achievement.

Mbappé then widened the conversation to include Cristiano Ronaldo, his childhood idol, despite the Portuguese star’s struggles in Portugal’s opening 1-1 draw against DR Congo. “It’s clear. He’s the best in the world with Cristiano [Ronaldo],” Mbappé emphasized. He praised Ronaldo’s consistency over 15 years, noting that both Messi and Ronaldo have set standards that younger players like himself strive to reach.

For Mbappé, however, the debate over who is the greatest is secondary. His focus remains firmly on helping France secure another World Cup. “I just try to do what I can do, show my quality on the biggest stage and help my team win another World Cup. The rest is for journalists and fans to debate,” he explained. His words underscored a team-first mentality, even as he continues to build his own legacy.

With 14 goals in just 15 World Cup appearances, Mbappé is closing in on Messi’s tally. He acknowledged the challenge ahead: “I already knew Messi was going to keep scoring goals. He always does. He’s ahead of me, and I’m behind him. I’ll keep scoring to help my national team go as far as possible.”

As both Argentina and France prepare for their next matches, the spotlight remains firmly on Messi and Mbappé. One is chasing outright history, the other is determined to surpass it. Together, they are shaping a World Cup narrative that blends respect, rivalry, and the pursuit of greatness.