France captain Kylian Mbappe confronts false narrative of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi - 'It's not the view a true football person would have'
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Published 06/06/2026 at 22:17 GMT+1
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Kylian Mbappe has challenged a familiar comparison between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, rejecting the idea that one represents pure talent while the other is defined solely by hard work.
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Speaking in a wide-ranging interview with fantasy sports platform Sorare, the Real Madrid forward was quizzed on the rivalry between two of the game's greatest-ever players.
Messi and Ronaldo are two of just four players to have featured at the 2006 World Cup who will be present in North America 20 years later - alongside Croatia midfielder Luka Modric and Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.
For Mbappe, whose hat-trick in the 2022 final against Argentina was ultimately in vain, this summer offers another opportunity to secure a second World Cup title having starred at Russia 2018.
But it is not the first time, nor will it be the last, a player has been asked on which side of the divide they stand when it comes to picking between Ronaldo and Messi.
While Mbappe refused to offer his preference directly, he used the opportunity to confront a perceived myth - rejecting the suggestion that Messi's success is based solely on natural talent while Ronaldo's is the product of hard work alone.
"Without sounding condescending, that is something only someone who hasn't played football would say," Mbappe said. "That isn't something a true football person would say.
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Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are idolised around the world
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"Because if you tell me Ronaldo lacks talent or Messi hasn't put in the work, it means you’ve never in your life laced up your boots to train day in and day out. I can't fathom lacing up your boots every day and still thinking that way. I’m speaking from the heart."
Mbappe reveals ideal World Cup rivals
Mbappe carries the hopes of his nation once more as France begin their World Cup campaign against Senegal on June 16. They are joined in Group I by Iraq and Norway as France's longest-serving coach Didier Deschamps looks to end his reign on a high.
Deschamps' preparations for the tournament have not got off to the perfect start, however, as Ivory Coast came from behind to beat Les Bleus 2-1 in Nantes during their first warm-up match.
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Guela Doue scored once and provided the assist for the winner as his brother Desire watched on, alongside the other five members of the France squad who were involved in the UEFA Champions League final - Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, Warren Zaire-Emery, Lucas Hernandez and William Saliba.
The Strasbourg defender set up Amad Diallo's late winner with a low cross from the right six minutes from time, after also finding the net himself. France had taken the lead just before half-time through Rayan Cherki, who skipped past two defenders before finishing low beyond Yahia Fofana.
Deschamps' side face Northern Ireland in Lille on Monday in their final warm-up match before travelling to the United States for the World Cup.
Mbappe knows this could be the final time he has the opportunity to share a pitch with either Neymar or Ronaldo, provided France face either Brazil or Portugal during the knockout rounds - and it is a prospect the Madrid star hopes becomes a reality this summer.
He added: "I dream of facing Cristiano and Neymar at the World Cup. It will be their last World Cup."
"I'm very proud to play for Real Madrid and I have a strong desire to make my mark on Real Madrid’s history," he said.
"If you make your mark on the history of the greatest club in the world, you have a special place in the history of football."
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