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Kylian Mbappé, the French forward who has swiftly risen to become one of football’s most prominent figures, recently offered candid reflections on his relationships and opinions regarding the two players who have defined a generation: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. His comments, given in a recent interview, provide rare insight into how the world’s current top talents view the sport’s most successful legends.
The Enduring Idol: Cristiano Ronaldo
Mbappé has been open throughout his career about his long-standing admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo, and his recent comments reaffirm this relationship, offering depth beyond mere fandom.
Ronaldo as a Role Model: The French star consistently names Cristiano Ronaldo as his primary role model and example. Mbappé expressed immense respect for the Portuguese legend, particularly his dedication and the legacy he established at Real Madrid, the club Mbappé now represents.
“Cristiano has always been a model, an example for me,” Mbappé stated. He added that he is “lucky” to still be in contact with Ronaldo, who offers him advice and help. For Mbappé, Ronaldo is unequivocally “the number one” reference point for the club and a figure people “still dream about” today. This connection reveals that Ronaldo’s influence on Mbappé is not just historical, but ongoing and personal.
The Surprise of Lionel Messi
Mbappé’s experience playing alongside Lionel Messi for two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) provided him with a unique perspective, leading to a surprising confession about the Argentine superstar’s personality.
A ‘Normal’ Person: The greatest surprise for Mbappé was not Messi’s genius on the pitch, but his demeanor off it. The French forward confessed that he found the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner to be “completely normal,” “respectful of everyone,” and “genuine.”
Mbappé noted that when a person achieves massive global fame, “a lot of people label you as a person and as a player.” He was surprised to find that despite the immense pressure and spotlight, Messi remained calm and humble.
A Masterclass in Football: On the field, Mbappé acknowledged the profound learning experience. He admitted that having Messi as a teammate was a “stroke of luck” he never anticipated, given his long-held dream of playing for Real Madrid and the assumption that Messi would remain at Barcelona forever.
Playing close to Messi, Mbappé says, helped him “understand the game better.” He observed, “When you have someone like that in your team and you are an offensive player, you only have to be close and watch everything he does… how he finishes, how he stops, how he touches the ball.”
An Evolving Admiration for Both
Mbappé’s confessions highlight a maturity that allows him to appreciate both of the great rivals. He once admitted that being a “big fan of Cristiano” when he was young prevented him from fully acknowledging how good Messi was.
However, he later confirmed that as he “grew up,” his perspective changed, and he came to “like both.” Mbappé recognizes that both players “wrote the history of football” during an “exceptional era,” and he feels fortunate to have played against Ronaldo and with Messi.
Ultimately, while Cristiano Ronaldo remains his definitive idol and “number one” influence, Mbappé’s two years alongside Messi proved to be an invaluable masterclass that further enriched his understanding of the game. He now faces the formidable task of forging his own path, aiming to create a legacy at Real Madrid that is as historic as the one his idol left behind.
