Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe appears to have changed his mind about the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo rivalry, recently praising the Argentine as the best player in the world. This comes despite the love Kylian Mbappe has for Cristiano Ronaldo is quite well known. In a 2016 interview, his father acknowledged that the 23-year-old had spent a lot of time as a youngster watching videos of Ronaldo on YouTube and studying him.
Mbappe’s praise for Messi is quite understandable given the Frenchman plies his trade alongside the Argentine week in week out at PSG. The two have been in formidable form for the Parisians in recent games, linking up brilliantly in the attack in he absence of Messi’s close friend Neymar Jr. However, tensions had aroused between the two superstars post the World Cup final where Argentina toppled France on penalties.
“You are the best” – Kylian Mbappe labels teammate Messi as the best
Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi recently shared the stage at FIFA The Best awards, where the 35-year-old was crowned as the best player for the year 2022. The World Cup winning captain won the award over Mbappe and his France teammate Karim Benzema, who announced his international retirement post the tournament in Qatar. Mbappe was quick to declare Messi as ‘the best’ after the Argentine won the award in Paris.
However, Abdou Diallo, Mbappe’s former PSG teammate had backed up the assertion that the striker believed Cristiano Ronaldo is the undisputed GOAT in December last year. As quoted by Diallo in The Mirror, he had said:
“Cristiano Ronaldo is literally everything to Kylian Mbappe. If you mention Lionel Messi against Cristiano, Mbappe will debate with you for at least an hour. For him, Cristiano is untouchable.”
But if his most recent Instagram post is any indication, Kylian Mbappe has altered his mind about Ronaldo and Messi’s status as the best player, declaring Messi to be the best player. Following the 2022 FIFA World Cup champion’s acceptance of FIFA’s ‘The Best’ Player Award, Mbappe posted on Instagram:
“Another trophy at home. Big congratulations to @leomessi you are #TheBest”
With 52 votes, Messi won the award for best player, thanks to his outstanding World Cup performance in Qatar. The 35-year-old helped La Albiceleste win their first FIFA World Cup in 36 years with seven goals and three assists in seven games. With eight goals, Kylian Mbappe took home the Golden Boot at the tournament, and he received 44 votes to finish second for the renowned prize. The FIFPro World XI team also included Messi and Mbappe.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo was neither a candidate for the award nor was selected in the FIFPro World XI. The 37-year-old had faced heartbreak at World Cup as well when his Portugal lost to Morocco in the quarterfinals. Following the conclusion of the World Cup, the free agent who had his contract terminated by Manchester United prior to the tournament signed the richest contract with Saudi side Al Nassr.