Kylian Mbappe responds to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi comparisons

The Paris Saint-Germain striker is establishing himself as one of football's greatest players but believes comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are premature

Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe has addressed comparisons between his own achievements and those of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The French striker admitted that those two superstars - who have shared a remarkable 11 Ballon d’Or titles between them - have ‘broken all the laws of statistics’.

The 22-year-old has established himself as one of football’s elite players but believes that comparisons to Messi and Ronaldo demonstrates ‘a lack of awareness’.

Having become the world’s second most expensive transfer aged 18 and starring in France’s World Cup success the following year, Mbappe has always appeared to be destined to join football’s greats.

Kylian Mbappe welcomed Lionel Messi to PSG at his first training session ( Image: Kylian Mbappé @KMbappe)

Mbappe explained in a wide-ranging interview with Esquire that he knows that the level reach by Messi and Ronaldo is ‘incomparable’ compared to anyone else in the sport.

"I'm not the only one who knows," Mbappe explained. "Everybody knows.

"If you tell yourself that you will do better than them, it goes beyond ego or determination: it is lack of awareness. Those players are incomparable. They have broken all the laws of statistics.

Mbappe did however admit that he - like any other player - he uses Messi and Ronaldo as a benchmark for the standards that are expected and for how he can push on his own game.

He added: “You always compare yourself to the best in your sport, just as the baker compares himself to the best bakers around him. Who makes the best croissant, the best pain au chocolat?

“I watch the games of other great players to see what they do. I know how to do this, but can the others do it too?

“I think other players are watching me too. I think that pushes footballers to elevate their game.”

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