Euro 2024: Messi reacts to Mbappe’s comments

As the anticipation builds for Euro 2024, France’s Kylian Mbappe sparked a debate by claiming that winning the Euros is a tougher challenge than conquering the World Cup, a statement that drew a response from Argentina’s Lionel Messi.

Mbappe, speaking to The Mirror ahead of the upcoming Euro tournament, asserted,

“In my opinion, it’s a more challenging competition than a World Cup. It’s very tough starting from group stages. It’s a competition we haven’t won for 24 years which is huge.”

His comments stirred reactions from across the football world, including from Messi, who shared his perspective in an interview with ESPN ahead of the Copa America.

“Obviously, the Euro cup is a very important competition where the best are,” Messi remarked,

“But it is leaving out Argentina, three-time champion of the world, Brazil, five-time world champion, and Uruguay, a two-time champion. There are too many world champions out there to say that it is the most difficult. The World Cup is where the best are, generally, all the world champions. Everyone wants to be world champion.”

Mbappe, speaking to CNN, expressed his ambition to add the Euro title to his accolades, having already secured the World Cup and the Nations League with France.

“I want to win the Euros. I have to be honest. I won the World Cup. I won the Nations League. That’s the only one that missed me with the national team after I did everything with the national team,” Mbappe stated, highlighting his determination to achieve success as team captain and make his country proud.

Reflecting on France’s disappointment in the 2022 World Cup, where they fell short of a consecutive title, Mbappe acknowledged the pain of missing out on a historic achievement but also emphasized the lessons learned.

“Of course, we were hurt, to see that you’re close to something … Close to the back-to-back. Something amazing. Something historic,” Mbappe recalled.

“Everybody loved the game except for us. We didn’t like that, but it’s part of the game.”