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When quizzed if Mbappe fell under the same bracket as the eight time Balon d’Or winner, Messi, former French international Lloris expressed that he believes there should not be any comparison between the two and went on to state that the Argentine was truly unique.
Lionel Messi, Hugo Lloris. (X)
French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has rubbished comparisons between Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is widely regarded as one of football’s greatest players, while Mbappe is seen as the next big thing in the sport. The young Frenchman’s teammate, Lloris, however, believes there should not be any comparison between the two. In an interview with La Nacion, the 38-year-old goalkeeper was asked if Mbappe occupied the same talent pool as Messi.
“Is Mbappe similar to Messi? No, Messi is unique. It is absolutely impossible to compare him to anyone,” he replied.
In the same interview, Lloris was asked if he saw Lionel Messi competing in another World Cup tournament in 2026. While the French goalkeeper wasn’t sure what the Argentine had decided for himself, he believed Messi would compete in the USA for the big trophy again.
“I don’t see Argentina without Messi at the next World Cup. I think it will be with Messi. He still plays and enjoys football. It’s his decision, but of course, we want to keep watching him play,” he said.
Messi is one the most decorated players in football history, having won 46 trophies in his career. The Argentine shared the locker room with Mbappe for a brief period at Paris Saint-Germain. He got the better of his former club teammate during the 2022 FIFA World Cup final in Qatar. Following a nail-biting thriller, Messi fulfilled his dream of lifting the biggest crown in international football.
Mbappe, on the other hand, broke into the scene during the 2018 World Cup. He put on a show in Russia to win the FIFA tournament with France at just 19 years of age. Since then, the Frenchman has often been compared to legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi.
Many fans and experts believe Mbappe will likely finish his senior career as one of the best to play football. He is currently enhancing his reputation as another ‘Galactico’ at Real Madrid. The French striker has surprised everyone with his goal-scoring prowess, recently matching Ronaldo’s debut-season record at Madrid. He has scored 32 goals in 45 games in the 2024/25 campaign. The 26-year-old now hopes to win his first Ballon d’Or crown by leading Real Madrid to a treble.
Messi will next be seen in action when Inter Miami take on Toronto FC in the MLS. Mbappe will hope to add more goals to his tally during Real Madrid’s La Liga fixture against Valencia on April 5.
