Mbappe Names Messi and Ronaldo as World’s Best Players Ahead of World Cup Knockout Push

France captain Kylian Mbappe has named Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the two best footballers in the world, placing the legendary duo ahead of himself and other modern stars.

Mbappe made the statement while responding to a question about who ranks as the best player among himself, Messi, Erling Haaland, and Harry Kane.

“Messi is the best together with Cristiano Ronaldo,” Mbappe said.

The France forward has started the FIFA World Cup 2026 in impressive form, scoring twice in his team’s opening group match against Senegal. Meanwhile, Messi also made headlines after scoring a stunning hat-trick for Argentina against Algeria.

Mbappe praised Messi’s consistency and goal-scoring ability, saying he was not surprised by the Argentine’s performance.

“I knew that Leo Messi was going to score goals… he always scores,” he added.

The French captain also revealed his ambition to continue scoring and help his country go deep into the tournament while chasing more records.

“I’m going to keep scoring goals to help my team go as far as possible. And of course, by scoring, I’ll get closer to the record,” Mbappe said.

Mbappe will now look to lead France into the knockout stages when they face Iraq on Monday.

Opinion: Mbappe’s comments show the respect that remains for Messi and Ronaldo despite the rise of a new generation of stars. While players like Mbappe, Haaland, and Kane continue to shape the future of football, the influence of Messi and Ronaldo is still strong among their successors.

For Mbappe, the challenge is no longer just being compared with legends — it is about creating his own legacy. His performances at this World Cup could become another major chapter in a career already filled with historic moments.