Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappé has downplayed comparisons with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, claiming that these two soccer legends are “irreplaceable”.
At a press conference with the French national team, the 26-year-old reaffirmed his humility in the face of the impressive records of the two icons of world soccer.
“I’m not looking to replace them. They are irreplaceable,” declared Mbappé.
Having joined Real Madrid last summer, the French striker is enjoying a remarkable first season, having already scored 30 goals in 43 games across all competitions. He is now just two shy of the record of 33 goals scored by Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy in their first Madrid seasons.
Despite these impressive figures, Mbappé refuses to draw any comparisons with the two legends of the game:
“They are legends who defined an era. If I score more goals than them in a season, it doesn’t mean I’m greater, it just means that my first year is going well.”
As a reminder, Lionel Messi has scored over 850 career goals, while Cristiano Ronaldo holds the all-time record with over 920. Statistics that place these two players in a league of their own, far beyond the simple achievements of a single season.