Lionel Messi Responds to Kylian Mbappe’s Claim That Euros Are Tougher Than the World Cup
Argentine star Lionel Messi has responded to Kylian Mbappe’s assertion that the Euros are a tougher competition than the World Cup.
Ahead of Euro 2024 in Germany, Mbappe suggested that the European Championship was ‘more complicated than a World Cup,’ but Messi, his former PSG teammate, disagreed.
“Everyone prioritizes their tournament,” Messi told ESPN Argentina, before his country’s participation in the upcoming Copa America.
“Obviously, the Euros are very important and feature the best teams, but he’s ignoring three-time champion Argentina, five-time champion Brazil, two-time champion Uruguay. Many world champions are left out to say it’s the hardest tournament.
“The best teams compete in the World Cup, including all the world champions. There’s a reason everyone wants to be champions.”
Messi’s Argentina are the current Copa America champions, having defeated Brazil in the 2021 final, while France is seeking their first major trophy since winning the 2018 World Cup.
Mbappe, who won the Golden Boot at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar where France lost to Messi’s Argentina, explained why he believes the Euros are the world’s toughest international competition.
“The Euros are complicated. For me, more complicated than a World Cup,” Mbappe said at a press conference.
“Even though there’s more pressure at the World Cup, all the teams know each other and we play against each other all the time. Tactically, it’s a very similar soccer.”
He also added that Argentina and Brazil don’t face the same level of competition.
“The advantage we Europeans have is that we always play against each other in high-level matches like the Nations League,” Mbappe said, via Bolavip.
“When we get to the World Cup, we’re ready. Brazil and Argentina don’t have that level in South America. Soccer isn’t as advanced as it is here in Europe. That’s why the last World Champions are always Europeans.”
France will begin their Euros campaign against Austria on June 17, while Argentina will face Canada on June 20.