What Mbappé Said About Messi And Ronaldo

Kylian Mbappé has often been asked: What does he think about Messi and Ronaldo? In the eras dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, comparisons swirl, expectations mount—and Mbappé’s voice has become one of the most fascinating to listen to. In this article, AvigGoal will guide you through what Mbappé said about Messi and Ronaldo, tracing his views over time, his evolution, and what his words reveal about his identity as a modern legend.

Table of Contents

Early admiration: Ronaldo as role model, Messi underrated

In his youth and early senior years, Mbappé’s loyalty leaned clearly toward Cristiano Ronaldo. For years he openly declared his admiration for the Portuguese star—icons plastered in his childhood room, countless interviews echoing the name, and a desire to emulate his style. Over time, however, Mbappé admitted that his fandom for Ronaldo somewhat blinded him to Messi’s brilliance. He once reflected that:

“When you are a huge Cristiano fan, you can’t see how Messi is good because you love Cristiano.”

As he matured, that lens began to shift—he “started to learn Messi too.”

That early period shows how Mbappé’s perspective was shaped by idealizing Ronaldo, but also how openness and humility gradually allowed him to see Messi’s greatness more clearly.

Public declarations: humility, ambition, and belief

Mbappé has made a number of striking statements when asked directly how he compares to Messi and Ronaldo. Here are the standout ones:

He openly acknowledged that “Messi and Cristiano are better players than me, but I always tell myself that I’m the best.”
In press settings, he’s said: “I tell myself I am better than Messi and Ronaldo” when stepping onto the pitch—part mental edge, part personal affirmation.
At another moment, he declared he is not chasing their legacy: he does not try to match Messi or Ronaldo, calling them “irreplaceable.”
He clarified that he’s not trying to supplant their status, but rather to carve his own path focused on collective success over individual comparison.

Thus, his repeated disclaimers reveal respect, but also a strong inner conviction that drives him to compete, not merely to pay homage.

Evolving respect: partnership, rivalry, and reflection

Over recent years, Mbappé’s commentary regarding Messi and Ronaldo has matured. As he crossed paths more often—teammate with Messi, opponent of Ronaldo—his words gained nuance:

With Messi

During their time together at Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappé spoke candidly about tension, adjustment, and learning. He later admitted feeling “angry, furious” when Messi arrived—pressures, expectations, and roles inside the team all shifted. Still, he has expressed deep admiration for Messi’s artistry and influence, calling him “truly special.”

In media reflections, Mbappé even confessed regret that his prior fandom of Ronaldo limited his appreciation of Messi’s genius. He said that his growth as a player and person allowed him to value both legends equally.

Against Ronaldo

Mbappé has also spoken about Ronaldo as a benchmark, an inspiration, and a competitor. He once admitted he would have loved to share dressing rooms with him, and that competing against him was part of his journey. But he’s equally refused to be shackled by direct comparison—he won’t race to equal Ronaldo’s numbers, but he respects the standard Ronaldo set.

Changing tone and perspective

As his own legend grows, Mbappé’s tone shifts from reverent admirer to peer-level contributor. He increasingly frames Messi and Ronaldo not as giants to rival directly but as pillars whose influence shaped the era he now leads. He often distances himself.

Why Mbappé’s views matter

What Mbappé says about Messi and Ronaldo matters for several reasons:

Narrative power
Messi vs. Ronaldo has been the defining narrative of modern football. Mbappé’s voice acts as a bridge to the next chapter—how to honor the legends while forging a fresh era.
Psychological insight
His remarks show mental strategy: self-affirmation, humility, and the boldness to refuse being overshadowed constantly by past icons.

Evolution of pride

The transitions in his statements mirror his own evolution—. Fan connection
His openness about doubt, respect, perhaps even conflict, humanizes him—inviting fans to see beyond goals and trophies to character.

Timeline: Key quotes by Mbappé on Messi & Ronaldo

Time Period	Quote	Meaning / Impact
Early career	“Ronaldo was my idol… I loved Cristiano.”	Rooted in admiration for CR7
Mid-career shift	“I was a big fan of him (Cristiano), but I start to learn Messi too.”	Growing recognition of Messi’s quality
Competitive edge	“Messi and Cristiano are better than me, but I always tell myself I’m the best.”	Respect + inner belief
Press declaration	“I tell myself I am better than Messi and Ronaldo”	Mental edge for performance
Disavowal	“I’m not chasing Messi & Ronaldo’s legacy, they’re irreplaceable.”	Rejecting direct comparison
Reflections with Messi	“I was angry, furious” about their relationship early	Honesty about adaptation tensions
Mature view	Emphasis on team goals, carving a unique path	Asserting independence from narratives

These quotes map Mbappé’s inner dialogue and public narrative—how he moves.

What this reveals about his identity as a player

From Mbappé’s words on Messi and Ronaldo, we glean a trio of qualities that define his legacy:

Self-awareness
He recognizes his strengths and limitations and sees Messi and Ronaldo as benchmarks—not as threats to his identity.
Ambition with humility
He believes in surpassing limits while refusing arrogance. He won’t deny their greatness, but he keeps striving.
Narrative control
Rather than being framed by comparisons, he presses for defining his story: of influence, legacy, and impact.

By refusing to be solely an extension of Messi-Ronaldo debates, Mbappé signals that the next era is his to write.

Final Thoughts

What Mbappé said about Messi and Ronaldo is more than a string of flattering or defensive phrases—it’s a narrative in motion. He began as a devoted Ronaldo admirer, shifted to embrace Messi’s brilliance, and now asserts himself as something more than either: a standard-bearer for his generation. His words combine humility, competitive fire, and strategic psychology to build his own legacy without drowning in comparisons.

AvigGoal invites you to track how he continues to define this journey. Will Mbappé ultimately surpass both legends—and in doing so, redefine the GOAT conversation? Keep following, keep discussing, and return here to see how his words and deeds align in real time.