Kylian Mbappé Can Emulate Pelé But Still Be Behind Messi And Ronaldo

AL KHOR, QATAR – DECEMBER 10: Kylian Mbappe #10 of France reacts during the FIFA World Cup Qatar … [+] 2022 quarter final match between England and France at Al Bayt Stadium on December 10, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar. (Photo by Liu Lu/VCG via Getty Images)

VCG via Getty Images

As ever in the 21-century the process of one sporting legend handing the baton to the next generation took place on social media a few weeks back.

Following his two goals against Poland in the World Cup, Kylian Mbappé tweeted in support of Pelé, the Brazilian legend whose faltering health has cast a shadow on proceedings.

“Pray for the King,” the young Frenchman wrote tagging in the official account of the three-time winner.

After thanking Mbappé, the gracious response from the Brazilian was a reference to another achievement from the Paris Saint-Germain striker.

“I’m happy to see you breaking another one of my records in this Cup, my friend!” He replied.

Pelé was referring to Mbappé bypassing his tally for the most goals scored by a player under the age of 24 at the World Cup, as his brace against the eastern Europeans took him to 9.

Standing for an incredible 60 years, the record is a testament to how much Pelé achieved at such a tender age, which the sands of time have perhaps obscured.

The Brazilian was two years younger than the 19-year-old Mbappé, who lit up events four years ago in Russia, when he took the 1958 World Cup in Sweden by storm.

In both cases the young men were instrumental in delivering glory for their nation and, as the World Cup reaches its latter stages, it looks like history could be repeated further still if France becomes the first side since Brazil in 1962 to retain the title.

But as the possibility of the Frenchman emulating the man considered one of soccer’s greatest ever players rears its head, there has been a strange absence of comparison between the pair.

If anything, Mbappé has been cast in the role of third or fourth most prestigious talent at the competition behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr.

There are understandable reasons why the final outing of some fantastic players is receiving attention, but there is a risk that we fail to appreciate the incredible talent in doing so.

Mbappé already clear of Messi and Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts during the Quarterfinal between Morocco and Portugal of the … [+] 2022 FIFA World Cup at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Dec. 10, 2022. (Photo by Xiao Yijiu/Xinhua via Getty Images)

Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images

When he headed to the 2006 World Cup. Lionel Messi was slightly younger than Kylian Mbappé.

An exciting talent there were high hopes for the teenager at the tournament.

But, unlike the Frenchman, Messi couldn’t get into coach José Pékerman’s starting 11, restricted only to substitute appearances and a runout in the final group game which was essentially a dead rubber.

Despite looking like one of the best teams in the early stages of that competition and scoring one of the greatest goals in World Cup history in the 6–0 demolition of Serbia, it was ultimately a disappointing campaign.

Argentina exited at the quarter-final stage to hosts Germany in one of the shocks of the tournament.

In the aftermath, Pékerman was criticized for leaving Messi on the bench during that game, but it was an inauspicious start to one of soccer’s great star’s participation in the World Cup.

Slightly older than his long-time rival, Cristiano Ronaldo also made his bow in the competition in 2006.

The Portuguese star did slightly better than Messi as an ever-present in the nation’s run to the semi-finals, but he could hardly be described as taking the event by storm.

Mbappé’s star role in the 2018 victory puts him clear of both men already, the only obvious comparison at international level is Pelé.

A different game

PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 25: (L-R) Neymar Jr of Paris Saint Germain, Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint … [+] Germain, Lionel Messi of Paris Saint Germain during the UEFA Champions League match between Paris Saint Germain v Maccabi Haifa at the Parc des Princes on October 25, 2022 in Paris France (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)

Getty Images

The lack of emphasis on Mbappé is also a reflection of how the game of soccer has changed.

Even in the 1990s, the World Cup was still considered the pinnacle of the sport.

But as Messi and Ronaldo became its dominant stars in the mid-2000s things started to change.

The vast riches generated by European soccer through the international commercial success of the Champions League and Premier League has seen domestic soccer in other parts of the world struggle to compete.

A chasm now exists between the standards played in hotbeds for talent, like Brazil and Argentina, and Europe.

The most promising teenagers from every geography in the world almost exclusively play their soccer there and there would be no question of an established star leaving the continent.

As a consequence, the talent assembled by the best club sides far exceeds any international team. These all-star XIs do battle every year in the Champions League, which renders the four-year World Cup cycle an alternative form of entertainment rather than the place the elite do battle.

The prestige Messi and Ronaldo have is not for their achievements at international level, which are patchy at best, but from their decade-long domination of the club game.

Winning the trophy was not considered a necessary achievement for either player to solidify their position as one of the game’s greats, but rather the cherry atop an already glittering cake.

It is within these parameters that you have a situation where Mbappé could be crucial in delivering back-to-back World Cups and still be required to do more in the game to earn the accolades of Messi and Ronaldo.

However, there is another man who sees Mbappé for what he is, the last pure World Cup legend, the Brazilian Ronaldo.

“He reminded me of when I played,” he said. “He knows how to use his ability, how to go faster than the other players and use that ability to assist or score.

“I think France is the favorite team now to win the World Cup. I said that before the World Cup starts and, for me, Mbappe is going to be the best player.”