Ronaldo sees Mbappé as his own peak: legacy and record chase

In a wide‑ranging interview with L’Equipe, Brazilian legend Cristiano Ronaldo, now Real Madrid centre‑forward, praised France captain Kylian Mbappé (27) as one of today’s greatest players, noting that Mbappé’s brace against Iraq lifted his World Cup tally to 16, three goals behind Lionel Messi’s record. Mbappé’s two‑goal performance against Iraq pushed his World Cup total to 16, surpassing Ronaldo’s previous tally. The Portuguese forward had held the record until Germany’s Miroslav Klose eclipsed it in 2014. “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 said. Ronaldo, a Brazilian forward, has won two World Cups with Brazil. Ronaldo highlighted a stylistic parallel, stating “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.” He recalled that he stormed world football in the 1990s with a blend of pace, power and clinical finishing.

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Ronaldo said both Lionel Messi and Mbappé are hugely deserving of the World Cup’s all‑time top‑scorer title. Messi’s record sits three goals ahead of Mbappé’s 16. Messi’s 19 World Cup goals stand as the benchmark for future generations.

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With three goals still separating Mbappé from Messi, the race for the all‑time World Cup scoring crown remains open. Ronaldo’s comments underscore the ongoing debate over legacy as the tournament progresses.