Brazilian legend Ronaldo has likened Kylian Mbappé to himself at the peak of his powers, hailing the France captain as “one of the greatest players in football today” and a “natural heir” to the sport’s legends.
Stylistic Parallels
Speaking to L’Equipe, the 1994 and 2002 World Cup winner drew clear parallels between his own devastating combination of speed, strength and precision during the 1990s and the current Real Madrid forward’s approach.
“As for Mbappé, his playing style reminds me of myself at my peak. He is one of the greatest players in football today and a natural heir to the legends of the game,” Ronaldo said.
The Record Chase
The glowing endorsement arrives as Mbappé, 27, mounts a serious challenge to the World Cup’s all-time scoring records. His recent brace against Iraq took his tournament tally to 16 goals, moving him past Ronaldo’s own career total and leaving him just three adrift of Lionel Messi’s current benchmark.
Ronaldo himself previously held the goal-scoring record until Germany’s Miroslav Klose overtook him during the 2014 tournament. The former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker, who dominated world football with his explosive attacking play, maintains that individual milestones remain secondary to lasting influence.
Legacy Beyond Statistics
“All records are made to be broken. Football is ultimately more than just numbers. You also have to think about the legacy you leave behind,” Ronaldo told the French publication.
He considers both Messi and Mbappé worthy standard-bearers for the sport’s history, acknowledging that both players deserve their places among the tournament’s most prolific marksmen. With potentially several knockout matches remaining in France’s campaign, Mbappé stands on the brink of potentially surpassing the all-time record before the competition concludes.