Kylian Mbappé has expressed doubts about playing football into his 40s, unlike Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, during a press conference ahead of France's 2026 FIFA World Cup match.
The France captain shared his thoughts after scoring twice in France's 3-1 win over Senegal, stating he is focused on the present rather than the distant future.
## What Did Kylian Mbappé Say?
Kylian Mbappé responded with humor when asked about matching the longevity of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, saying "I won't be playing football at 40 years old… you guys would have kicked me out by then!"
He emphasized his main goal remains helping France win another FIFA World Cup rather than chasing personal milestones.
## Career Longevity and Focus
The Real Madrid star praised both football legends, stating "Messi is the best player, along with Cristiano, that's clear," and downplayed discussions about individual greatness.
Kylian Mbappé noted that debates about who is the greatest player are often driven by media conversations rather than team objectives.
## France's FIFA World Cup Ambitions
The forward has already won the tournament once with France in 2018 and helped the team reach the final in 2022, with his playing style relying heavily on speed, acceleration, and athleticism.
Kylian Mbappé appeared realistic about the challenges of maintaining these qualities with age, but made it clear that he is not concerned with predicting how long his career will last.
## What Comes Next for Kylian Mbappé?
The comments quickly spread across social media, generating millions of views, as Kylian Mbappé prepares for France's next FIFA World Cup match against Iraq, aiming to bring the trophy home.
With Lionel Messi now 39 and Cristiano Ronaldo 41, both continue to compete on football's biggest stage, defying expectations and maintaining elite standards through fitness, experience, technical quality, and mental strength.
Kylian Mbappé's focus on the present and France's FIFA World Cup ambitions remains unwavering, as he seeks to make a significant impact in the tournament.
The France captain's speed and athleticism will be crucial in the upcoming matches, and his ability to perform under pressure will be closely watched.
As the FIFA World Cup progresses, Kylian Mbappé's performances will be key to France's success, and his determination to win another trophy will be put to the test.