Kylian Mbappé has openly acknowledged the unique trajectory of his career compared to Lionel Messi. Speaking about his journey, the French forward explained that his choices have naturally led him away from replicating Messi’s path. He stated, “For me, it’s already too late to have a career like Messi’s; otherwise, I would have had to stay at Monaco.”
Inspiration from Ronaldo
Mbappé emphasized that his career model now aligns more closely with Cristiano Ronaldo’s. He added, “So, logically and without taking anything away from Messi, I have to inevitably draw inspiration from Ronaldo’s career.” This reflection highlights his admiration for both players, while recognizing that his own decisions and ambitions set him on a different course.
Messi and Ronaldo as benchmarks
Messi and Ronaldo have long been regarded as the defining figures of modern football, each with distinct styles and achievements. Messi’s loyalty to Barcelona for most of his career contrasts with Ronaldo’s journey across multiple leagues and clubs, where he consistently proved himself at the highest level. Mbappé’s comments suggest he sees Ronaldo’s adaptability and longevity as qualities to emulate.
Shaping his legacy
At just 27 years old, Mbappé has already achieved remarkable success with Paris Saint-Germain and the French national team, including a World Cup victory in 2018. His reflections on Messi and Ronaldo reveal a player conscious of his place in football history, determined to carve out a legacy that blends inspiration from the greats with his own unique path.
By acknowledging the influence of Messi and Ronaldo while charting his own direction, Mbappé continues to position himself as one of the defining figures of the next era in world football.
