During the preparations for the World Cup, reporters asked Kylian Mbappe about both legendary players in an interview with Sorare. They consulted him on who he preferred as a soccer player, and he offered a highly diplomatic response, completely avoiding selecting one over the other by considering them to be very different from each other.

Nevertheless, he also wanted to dismantle a completely false myth that surrounds both icons, specifically the widespread idea that Lionel Messi is pure talent and Cristiano Ronaldo is pure hard work. Addressing this view, he stated, “Without sounding condescending, that is something only someone who hasn’t played soccer would say. That isn’t something a true soccer person would say.

“Because if you tell me Ronaldo lacks talent or Messi hasn’t put in the work, it means you’ve never in your life laced up your boots to train day in and day out. I can’t fathom lacing up your boots every day and still thinking that way. I’m speaking from the heart.”

Mbappe offers his thoughts on the rivalry

Kylian Mbappe also referred to the iconic rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, explaining that it became legendary because both players contrasted with one another in a perfect manner. Describing their differences, he noted, “One is right-footed, the other left-footed. One is tall, the other shorter. One is stronger, the other slimmer. One with more power, the other with more vision.”

Kylian Mbappe now has the 2026 World Cup in mind, where he will also be one of the tournament’s biggest stars to watch as he looks to lead France back to the top of the soccer world. France are currently seeking redemption after their heartbreaking loss to Lionel Messi and Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final, a match widely regarded as one of the greatest in the history of the sport.

Messi and Ronaldo will make history at the 2026 World Cup

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are both set to make history at this year’s World Cup, as they will become the first players ever to appear in six World Cup tournaments during their respective careers. Within this historic achievement, they will also share this spectacular record with Guillermo Ochoa.

Klose currently sits atop the mountain with 16 goals across four tournaments, but his historic mark is under serious threat from the world’s two biggest stars. Mbappe has already racked up 12 goals in just two World Cup appearances, while Messi sits just ahead of him with 13. With plenty of matches on deck, Klose’s record could realistically fall this summer.

Messi is already set to make history just by taking the pitch, joining Cristiano Ronaldo and Guillermo Ochoa. While the Argentine maestro already has a winner’s medal in his trophy case, rewriting the record books will require holding off Mbappe, who has made it abundantly clear he intends to dominate this era of soccer.

Argentina’s favorable group-stage draw could allow Messi to catch Klose early, as the reigning champions face off against Jordan, Austria, and Algeria. Meanwhile, Mbappe will have plenty of opportunities to feast offensively when France navigates its own group-stage matchups against Senegal, Iraq, and Norway.

All-time goal scorers list in World Cup

Messi needs just two goals to pull level with Brazilian icon Ronaldo Nazario, who banged in 15 goals over four tournament appearances. Mbappe is right on his heels, needing just three goals to match the legendary R9, a testament to how quickly the modern game’s elite are rewriting history.

Let’s break down the top 10 list of all-time goal scorers:

Is Cristiano Ronaldo even close to Messi and Mbappe?

Despite closing in on the mythical 1,000-career-goal milestone, Cristiano Ronaldo has never quite replicated that staggering volume on the World Cup stage. The Portuguese icon doesn’t even crack the tournament’s top 20 all-time list, having scored a relatively modest eight goals in 22 World Cup appearances.

That said, Ronaldo still holds the distinction of scoring in every single World Cup he has entered. He will look to extend that incredible streak to a record six consecutive tournaments this summer, with the ultimate goal of sparking a deep Portugal run and potentially finding the net enough times to crack the all-time top 10.

While Cristiano scored 86 goals in 89 appearances across his first two campaigns at Real Madrid, Mbappe has recorded 85 goals in 101 appearances for the Spanish giants.

The Frenchman still has two matches remaining to equal or overtake the legendary striker’s mark. Although the league title has already been claimed by Barcelona, Real Madrid still face matches against Sevilla and Athletic Club to close out the season.

A tumultuous end to the season for Real Madrid

Real Madrid will finish the season without silverware, marking the second consecutive year the club has failed to win a major trophy. The supporters made their frustration clear by whistling Mbappe when he came on as a substitute in the 2-0 victory against Real Oviedo.

Adding to the tension are dressing room issues. Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni were reportedly involved in a fight during training. Although Valverde later denied being hit by Tchouameni, Real Madrid decided to fine both players €500,000 following the incident.

Mbappe and Arbeloa’s contradictions

Coming off the bench to replace Gonzalo Garcia against Real Oviedo likely did not sit well with Mbappe. The forward told reporters after the match that he is currently the fourth option in attack for the manager, behind Vinicius Jr., Garcia, and Franco Mastantuono, adding that the coach’s decision must be respected.

However, during his press conference, Arbeloa offered a different perspective, indicating that he never told Mbappe he was the team’s fourth-choice forward. “I wish I had four forwards; I don’t know what to tell you because I don’t have four forwards, nor have I ever said such a thing to him. He must have misunderstood; I don’t know what to tell you, but I never told him he is the fourth-choice striker,” Arbeloa stated.

The fans’ frustration reportedly stems from his recent off-field controversy. While the French striker was sidelined and recovering from injury, he took a leisure trip to Italy with his girlfriend.

This decision was heavily condemned by Real Madrid supporters, who even launched an online petition to gather signatures demanding that the club part ways with the French forward.

Mbappe unfazed by the boos

Far from showing anger over the reception from the fans, the French striker pointed out that receiving this type of treatment from supporters is normal when the team isn’t winning and must be accepted.

“Boos from the fans? It’s normal. You have to accept it; when you don’t win, it’s normal,” Mbappé said, according to Fabrizio Romano. “It happens at Real Madrid and at any club in the world”.

Mbappe’s difficult moment

Mbappe’s recent weeks have been far from easy. In addition to facing harsh criticism over off-field issues, the forward has become a primary target for fans frustrated by Real Madrid’s lack of major silverware for a second consecutive season.

At the international level, he is also facing scrutiny from his own supporters. Despite the fact that Mbappe headlines France’s 2026 World Cup roster, many French fans believe the Real Madrid star should start on the bench in Didier Deschamps’ side.

According to a poll conducted by the prestigious French outlet L’Équipe, many fans believe Mbappe should be a substitute behind the trio of Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, and Desire Doue, who are entering the tournament in much better form with their respective clubs.

“More than 93,000 internet users have selected their own lineup for the World Cup. In attack, Ousmane Dembele is widely acclaimed (98.10%). Michael Olise received 97.46% of the votes, closely followed by Desire Doue (97.08%). It is only after this trio that captain Kylian Mbappe appears,” the newspaper shared on its social media platforms.

The list represents a significant overhaul compared to the previous World Cup. Several stalwarts have retired from international duty, including Antoine Griezmann, Hugo Lloris, and Olivier Giroud, while Steve Mandanda and Raphael Varane have retired from professional soccer altogether.

The remaining nine players from the previous squad were left out due to tactical decisions by Deschamps. The manager opted to omit Alphonse Areola, Axel Disasi, Benjamin Pavard, Jordan Veretout, Matteo Guendouzi, Youssouf Fofana, Eduardo Camavinga, Kingsley Coman, and Randal Kolo Muani.

Without a doubt, the Real Madrid midfielder’s absence is one of the most notable. Deschamps explained that the decision to snub Camavinga was because he “is coming off a difficult season where he lacked consistency due to a string of injuries”.

France’s final roster

While many nations are currently submitting preliminary 55-man lists, Deschamps decided to move directly to the final 26-player squad that will travel to North America.

Led by Mbappe, here is the official France roster for the 2026 World Cup:

Goalkeepers

• Mike Maignan | AC Milan
• Brice Samba | RC Lens
• Robin Risser | Strasbourg

Defenders

• Jules Kounde | FC Barcelona
• Malo Gusto | Chelsea
• Maxence Lacroix | Crystal Palace
• William Saliba | Arsenal
• Dayot Upamecano | Bayern Munich
• Ibrahima Konate | Liverpool
• Lucas Hernandez | PSG
• Theo Hernandez | Al-Hilal
• Lucas Digne | Aston Villa

Midfielders

• Aurelien Tchouameni | Real Madrid
• N’Golo Kante | Fenerbahçe
• Adrien Rabiot | AC Milan
• Manu Kone | AS Roma
• Warren Zaïre-Emery | PSG

Forwards

• Rayan Cherki | Manchester City
• Desire Doue | PSG
• Bradley Barcola | PSG
• Maghnes Akliouche | AS Monaco
• Ousmane Dembele | PSG
• Michael Olise | Bayern Munich
• Kylian Mbappe | PSG
• Marcus Thuram | Inter Milan
• Jean-Philippe Mateta | Crystal Palace

Mbappe revealed that his connection with Ronaldo has evolved significantly. “He is a friend now. It’s so great when people you idolise when you’re young become your friends. We used to talk a lot, and he helped me in my first year at Madrid, because he knows it very well. We have a wonderful relationship and I’m very happy with it,” Mbappe said in an interview with Vanity Fair.

Mbappe was recently at the center of an online petition targeting the Real Madrid star, a situation that has sparked debate among fans and added unexpected noise around his future.

The French forward’s comments come amid a challenging period on the pitch for Real Madrid, where expectations remain extremely high following his arrival, and after previously sharing the pitch with Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain, but results and collective performance have sparked intense debate around the squad’s balance and long-term direction.

Messi and Mbappe’s time together in the PSG locker room

Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe spent two seasons together at PSG from August 2021 to June 2023. They shared the field in 67 matches and won three trophies, including two Ligue 1 titles and the 2022 French Super Cup, before each moved on to the next stage of their careers.

Mbappe’s evolving bond with Ronaldo

Mbappe has long been open about his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo, who might fall short of an individual trophy this season, even revealing in the past that he grew up with images of the Portuguese star on his walls. Ronaldo’s experience in Madrid has reportedly been valuable for Mbappe as he navigates the pressure and expectations that come with leading the attack at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Pressure grows at Real Madrid amid difficult season

While Mbappe has scored 24 goals this season, his second year at Real Madrid has still generated heavy scrutiny as the club moves toward another campaign without major trophies.

Questions surrounding the team’s chemistry and tactical balance have intensified throughout the season, particularly regarding how Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Jude Bellingham fit together under Alvaro Arbeloa.

The pressure around the club has also increased after Florentino Perez calling new elections and after Real Madrid imposed heavy fines on Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni following a training-ground altercation.

Mbappe is currently sidelined with an injury that puts his availability for Real Madrid’s final La Liga fixtures in doubt, but he is still expected to play a central role for France at the 2026 World Cup, where his individual talent and leadership will again be crucial on the international stage.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano on his social media, the French forward and one of the team’s biggest stars “didn’t feel good in the final training session,” and Alvaro Arbeloa decided to leave him out of the squad for their visit to Camp Nou.

There are 11 points separating Barcelona and Real Madrid, with only 12 still to play for. If they fail to secure a victory, Los Blancos will watch as their eternal rivals celebrate the championship title in front of them.

Real Madrid travel to Camp Nou with several absences

Mbappe’s absence will not be the only significant setback for Real Madrid ahead of their match against Barcelona. A series of injuries has ruled out nearly a dozen players, who will not be available at Camp Nou.

• Fede Valverde
• Arda Guler
• Ferland Mendy
• Eder Militao
• Rodrygo
• Dani Carvajal
• Dani Ceballos

How much do Real Madrid lose without Mbappe?

Real Madrid face a significant challenge heading into the Clasico, as they will be without the league’s top scorer, Kylian Mbappe. Missing his clinical finishing—which has accounted for 24 goals so far this season—leaves a massive void in their attack, especially with Vedat Muriqi of Mallorca trailing closely behind him with 22 goals.

Difficult moments in Madrid

The widely reported altercation between Fede Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni was another note in this difficult period Real Madrid are going through. Struggling in LaLiga, eliminated from the Champions League, and amid rumors about the arrival of a new coach at the Bernabeu, the focus now appears to be on turning the page and starting to plan for what comes in the second half of the year.

Against this backdrop, Real Madrid supporters have launched a viral campaign across social media and online platforms, gathering signatures to petition for the Frenchman’s departure. Yet, the backlash isn’t solely due to the team’s lack of hardware over the last two years.

The final straw for many fans was an off-field incident. After sustaining an injury during a 1-1 draw against Real Betis, Mbappe missed the club’s 2-0 victory over Espanyol. During this recovery period, fans were outraged to see photos of the striker on a leisure trip to Italy with his girlfriend, Ester Exposito.

While the club authorized the time off, the optics were disastrous. Supporters have loudly questioned Mbappe’s commitment and leadership, criticizing his decision to vacation while the team faces a sensitive and defining stretch of the season.

The ‘Mbappe Out’ campaign

Disgruntled Real Madrid supporters have launched a massive online campaign calling for the club to move on from Mbappe. The initiative’s impact was immediate, gathering over 2 million signatures within hours.

“Madridistas, make your voice heard. If you believe change is needed, don’t stay silent — sign this petition and stand for what you think is best for the club’s future,” the petition read.

The petition currently boasts over 37 million signatures, though it is worth noting that the campaign allows users to join the protest with a single click. This ease of access suggests that not all signatures necessarily originate from verified Real Madrid supporters.

Mbappe’s incredible campaign amidst the controversy

The most striking aspect of this situation is that Mbappe has proven to be one of the team’s most vital assets through his individual performances, even if collective success hasn’t followed.

So far this season, the French forward has netted 41 goals in 41 matches across all competitions. These figures actually outpace his production from last season, where he scored more total goals (44) but required significantly more appearances (54) to reach that mark.

Mbappe is dealing with a torn hamstring in his left leg, which ruled him out for several weeks. He is targeting a return for El Clasico, but is very much in doubt, as his real focus is to be fit for the World Cup.

The Frenchman is in the middle controversy as instead of rehabbing, he was seen on vacations in Italy alongside rumored girlfriend, Spanish actress Ester Exposito. This prompted a backlash of many Madrid fans, questioning the forward’s professionalism.

Why is Courtois not playing vs Espanyol?

Thibaut Courtois is still recovering from a muscular injury he suffered during a Champions League match against Manchester City. He’s been sidelined since March 17. The injury was in the right quadriceps.

Courtois has returned to partial training, and is also aiming to return on May 10 for the showdown vs Barcelona. Madrid are on the verge of consummating a no-title season once again, which is unacceptable to this team’s standards.

Who will play instead of Mbappe and Courtois?

It’s pretty much a guarantee that Andriy Lunin will be the goalkeeper, as he’s a premium backup for Courtois. Lunin has played 11 games this season, conceding 21 goals. While these are not good numbers, Lunin is still a very good goalkeeper.

As for who’ll replace Mbappe, manager Alvaro Arbeloa has used either Arda Guler or Brahim Diaz. This allows the team to keep up the pace up front. However, Gonzalo Garcia gives Madrid the ability to use a more traditional center forward.

With only 48 days remaining until the 2026 World Cup, the French forward asked to be replaced in the 81st minute with an apparent injury. Following the substitution, Mbappe bypassed the bench and headed directly to the locker room.

Initial reports from Spain suggest a minor muscular discomfort, but the club will wait for comprehensive medical scans on Saturday to ensure the star’s physical status hasn’t taken a major hit.

Mounting injury crisis for Real Madrid

If a significant injury to Mbappe is confirmed, it would present a massive tactical challenge for manager Alvaro Arbeloa, who is already navigating a squad decimated by absences.

The French star would join an infirmary that has been crowded for months, starting with long-term casualties Thibaut Courtois, currently recovering from a tear, and Rodrygo, who remains out after suffering an ACL rupture in his right knee earlier this season.

The defensive unit is also under severe strain following the loss of Eder Militao. The Brazilian center-back had recently returned from a lengthy layoff only to suffer a femoral biceps injury in his left leg during the victory over Alaves. This latest setback has officially ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign.

Similarly, Arda Guler has seen his season come to a premature end due to an identical hamstring injury, leaving Arbeloa with dwindling options as the season reaches its climax.

Real Madrid’s title hopes fading

The draw against Real Betis was a critical juncture for Real Madrid to keep their championship aspirations alive. However, after conceding a late equalizer in the final minute, Los Blancos have suffered a major setback, leaving Barcelona as the overwhelming favorite to secure the LaLiga crown.

Following the latest results, Barcelona currently hold an eight-point lead over Real Madrid with a game in hand. Should Hansi Flick’s men defeat Getafe on Saturday, April 25, they will widen the gap to 11 points with only five matches remaining in the schedule—a margin that would effectively seal the title race.

Mbappe scored his team’s third goal just before the end of the first half, putting Real Madrid up 3-2 on the night and leveling the aggregate score at 4-4. With that strike, the Frenchman reached 15 goals, solidifying his position as the top scorer in this edition of the Champions League, though his tally is now final.

As a result, while Cristiano Ronaldo is currently playing away from European soccer, his record of 17 goals during Real Madrid’s 2013-14 title run remains safe. Despite falling short of the Portuguese legend’s total, Mbappe achieved something neither Messi nor Ronaldo ever did: he scored 10 away goals, setting a new record for the most tallies away from home in a single season.

Could Harry Kane match Ronaldo’s mark?

With the tournament’s leading scorer now eliminated, Harry Kane is the highest-scoring player still active in the competition. The English striker currently has 12 goals and mathematically remains in the hunt to reach Ronaldo’s mark.

However, achieving that goal will be a monumental task. Kane is guaranteed at least two more matches in the semifinals against PSG, where he would need to score at least five goals just to equal the record. Should Bayern Munich advance to the final, he would have an additional game to work with, though the target remains incredibly difficult to hit.

Mbappe joins elite Champions League scorer group

Although Mbappe can no longer break the record this season, he has joined an exclusive pantheon of Champions League goalscorers. By netting his 15th goal of the campaign, Mbappe becomes only the fourth player in history to reach that milestone in a single season, joining Cristiano Ronaldo (2017-18), Karim Benzema (2021-22), and Robert Lewandowski (2019-20).

Ronaldo is the undisputed goalscorer master of the Champions League. With a total of 140 goals, he also holds the second-place spot for the most goals scored in a single season, with 16 tallies in the 2015-16 campaign.