Has Kylian Mbappé Already Surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi?

As of August 2023, Kylian Mbappé has captured the global imagination with his remarkable performances, often drawing comparisons to the legendary careers of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. By the age of 24, Mbappé has achieved significant milestones that challenge the established traditions of football:

World Cup Success

Mbappé's overwhelming success at the World Cup stands out. He won the FIFA World Cup with France in 2018, scoring four goals and winning the Best Young Player award. This achievement is unmatched by his rivals at the same age. Neither CR7 nor The Lion had reached such heights by 24 years old. His collective performance in the tournament cannot be ignored, with contributions from teammates like Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba also playing crucial roles.

Club Achievements

His success at the club level is also noteworthy, with multiple league titles and consistent top-scoring performances with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Mbappé's goal tally in Ligue 1 is impressive, though it is important to compare against the physically more demanding Premier League (PL) and La Liga.

Individual Honors

Mbappé has secured various individual honors, including his inclusion in the FIFA FIFPro World XI. However, he still awaits the prestigious Ballon d'Or, an award that recognizes the world's best player each year.

Goal Scoring

Mbappé's goal-scoring record is indeed remarkable, but it is crucial to consider the contexts in which he and his predecessors played. At 22, Ronaldo and Messi were playing in tougher leagues such as the PL and La Liga. Mbappé's titles in Ligue 1 do not reflect the same level of physical intensity as those leagues.

Consistency and Mentality

The achievements of Ronaldo and Messi extend beyond individual and club levels, including a wealth of UEFA Champions League (CL) titles. Ronaldo and Messi have each won 5 and 4 CLs respectively, with over 134 goals and 119 assists between them. This demonstrates their consistent performance in the grandest league competition. In contrast, Mbappé has yet to win a CL title, though he did reach the final last season against Bayern Munich, where his performance exuded a lack of confidence and consistency.

In a highly prestigious game against Bayern, Mbappé did not perform at his best, missing several opportunities, leading to the conclusion that he might still be lacking in some key mental aspects that have defined CR7 and LM10's legacies.

The Future

For Mbappé to truly measure up against Ronaldo and Messi, he needs to show consistency and dominance in more demanding leagues. His current achievements are significant, but to establish himself as the GOAT (Greatest of All Time), he must prove his mettle in tougher competitions like the PL or La Liga. Only then can he be compared to the consistency and brilliance of CR7 and LM10 in the upper echelons of the sport.

Conclusion

While Kylian Mbappé is undoubtedly a spectacular footballer with immense talent, his journey to be considered among the greatest of all time will require further achievements in more challenging leagues and consistent, jaw-dropping performances. For now, CR7 and LM10 stand as the undisputed legends, but Mbappé's future success may well elevate him to join their ranks.