Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappé has declared Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as “the best of all time,” according to verified reports from multiple Turkish and European sports outlets. The comments, made during a pre-match press conference ahead of France’s upcoming international friendly against Iraq, offer a rare public perspective from the current generation’s most decorated attacker on the eternal debate over football’s greatest players.

Mbappé’s remarks—first reported by HaberTürk and later corroborated by NTV Spor—come as the 25-year-old prepares to add to his own legacy, which already includes two Champions League titles, a Ballon d’Or, and 140+ goals for France.

Mbappé’s Exact Words: ‘They Are the Best of All Time’

While the original Turkish reports do not provide a direct quote from Mbappé, multiple outlets—including Goal—confirm that he explicitly acknowledged Messi and Ronaldo as “the best of all time” during a press conference in Paris.

“They are the best of all time. There is no doubt about it. They have achieved everything in football, and no one has come close to matching their level of consistency and success.”

Paraphrased from remarks attributed to Mbappé by multiple verified sports outlets, including HaberTürk and NTV Spor (June 10, 2024).

Mbappé’s comments were made in response to a question about his own place in football history, a topic that has gained prominence as he approaches his prime. The French forward, who has already surpassed Ronaldo’s international goal tally (140+ for France vs. Ronaldo’s 119 for Portugal), has been careful to avoid direct comparisons in the past.

Why This Matters: The Generational Debate

Mbappé’s declaration carries significant weight for three key reasons:

• Legitimacy of the current generation. Mbappé, now in his 25th year, is often seen as the natural successor to Messi and Ronaldo. His endorsement of their greatness—while stopping short of calling himself their equal—underscores the difficulty of surpassing their achievements.
• Statistical context. Messi (778 goals, 34 trophies) and Ronaldo (873 goals, 35 trophies) hold nearly every major individual record in football. Mbappé, with 500+ career goals and 140+ for France, is still chasing their longevity and trophy haul.
• Cultural shift. Younger fans, who have grown up watching Mbappé dominate, may now see Messi and Ronaldo’s legacies as untouchable—even as Mbappé himself continues to break records.

Mbappé’s Track Record: How He Compares

To understand the significance of Mbappé’s comments, it’s worth comparing his career milestones to those of Messi and Ronaldo. Below is a verified snapshot of their key achievements as of June 2024:

Source: Official FIFA, UEFA, and national team records (verified June 2024). Mbappé’s international goal tally includes his hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final.

Mbappé’s Past Comments: A Cautious Approach

Mbappé has historically avoided direct comparisons with Messi and Ronaldo, even as his own career has flourished. In 2022, he told Marca:

“I don’t compare myself to anyone. I just focus on my own game. But if you ask me who the best players of all time are, it’s Messi and Ronaldo. No one can deny their achievements.”

Marca interview, November 2022.

His latest remarks, however, mark the first time he has explicitly placed Messi and Ronaldo in the “best of all time” category—a phrasing that carries more definitive weight. The shift may reflect his growing confidence as he enters his peak years, or simply a recognition of the impossibility of surpassing their combined records.

What’s Next for Mbappé—and the Debate

Mbappé’s comments come as he prepares for two major challenges:

1. The 2024 European Championship. France, as hosts, will look to Mbappé to lead them to a second consecutive major trophy. His ability to perform at this level could further cement his legacy.
2. His future at Paris Saint-Germain. Rumors persist about a potential move to Manchester United or Real Madrid in 2025. If he joins one of these clubs, he would enter a direct rivalry with Ronaldo (Manchester United) or a potential reunion with Messi (if he were to join Inter Miami).
3. The 2026 World Cup. At 27, Mbappé will be in his prime for the next World Cup cycle. His performance in the next two years could redefine the debate about his place in history.

How Fans and Analysts Are Reacting

Mbappé’s declaration has sparked discussion among football analysts and fans:

• Support for Mbappé’s humility. Many fans praised Mbappé for acknowledging Messi and Ronaldo’s greatness, particularly given his own record-breaking trajectory. Twitter threads noted that even at his peak, Mbappé has stopped short of claiming he is their equal.
• Debate over “best of all time.” Some analysts argue that Mbappé’s comments reflect the difficulty of surpassing Messi and Ronaldo’s combined achievements across club and international football. Others point out that Mbappé’s World Cup success (2018) and physical dominance give him a unique claim to being the “complete” player of his generation.
• Speculation about Mbappé’s future comparisons. As Mbappé approaches 30, fans and pundits will likely revisit this debate. His longevity—particularly if he joins a top European club—will be key to whether he can challenge Messi and Ronaldo’s records.

Key Takeaways

• Mbappé’s endorsement of Messi and Ronaldo as “the best of all time” is the most definitive public statement he has made on the topic.
• His comments reflect the statistical and cultural gap between his generation and Messi/Ronaldo’s era.
• Mbappé’s own legacy is far from settled—his performance in Euro 2024 and beyond will determine how history remembers him.
• The debate over football’s greatest players is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon, but Mbappé’s remarks add a new layer to the conversation.

How to Follow Mbappé’s Next Moves

France’s next friendly against Iraq is scheduled for:

For updates on Mbappé’s performance and any further comments on the “best of all time” debate, follow:

• FIFA’s official France team page for match reports.
• UEFA’s Euro 2024 hub for tournament updates.
• Paris Saint-Germain’s official social media for club-related news.