Kylian Mbappe's bold prediction that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's dominance was ending has not aged well, as the French star now watches his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate prepare for a second consecutive World Cup final.
Mbappe's Premature Declaration
Before the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, Mbappe declared that a new generation was taking over from Messi and Ronaldo. Speaking to the New York Times in September 2022, he said: "I think I'm about to win it [the Ballon d'Or]. I always say I dream about everything. I have no limits. So of course, like you say, it's a new generation. And Ronaldo, Messi - you're gonna stop. We have to find someone else, someone new."
At 27, Mbappe remains at the pinnacle of football, especially after his blockbuster 2024 transfer from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid. However, Messi, now 39, has continued to overshadow him on the international stage.
Contrasting Fates in the 2026 World Cup
Messi's Argentina dispatched England in the semi-finals on Wednesday, while Mbappe's France fell to Spain in their last-four encounter a day earlier. This sets up a final between Argentina and Spain, with Messi aiming to lead his nation to glory once again.
Mbappe had also suggested he would pip Messi to the Ballon d'Or in 2023, but he ended up in third place as Messi claimed his eighth honour. The diverging paths of the former PSG colleagues stand out starkly against Mbappe's earlier remarks.
Messi Silences Doubters
Following Argentina's semi-final victory, Messi reflected on the pressure his team faced. He said: "It was a special match against England, we couldn't lose. While this group doesn't owe anything to anyone, you know how Argentinians are, we always demand more. I think if we had lost today, people would have come out and said some nonsense, and we didn't give them the chance. We knew that we were better than them in terms of football."
Messi has been playing in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami since 2023, showing no signs of slowing down as he prepares for his second consecutive World Cup final.
Mbappe's Emotional Reaction
Mbappe was clearly emotional after France's defeat to Spain. Speaking to FOX Sports, he said: "At the end of the day, you take all the glory when you win, and when you don't win, you have to... sorry to take a [expletive]. It's part of the game, part of my game, part of my life. As a captain, I have to take all the responsibility and I have no problem with that. We wanted to go to the final, we didn't go."
Mbappe had previously secured World Cup glory with France in Russia in 2018, but Messi retorted by beating France in the 2022 final. Now, while Messi prepares for another final, Mbappe is forced back to the drawing board with Les Bleus.
