Kylian Mbappe: 'You can't see how Messi is good because you love Cristiano'

France World Cup star Kylian Mbappe weighs in on the GOAT debate in a unique way, discussing the evolution of his love for both players.

The 24-year-old is expected to be the next entry into the conversation about the greatest footballer the sport has witnessed, but meanwhile, he opens up on his love for Ronaldo and how he also came to appreciate Lionel Messi. 

The Paris Saint-Germain forward is famously a Ronaldo fan, as he has named the Portuguese as his idol. During the period of his breakout, photos made the rounds on social media showing Mbappe in a room, seemingly his childhood bedroom, with Ronaldo's posters plastered around as wallpaper.

Mbappe has been keen on a move to Real Madrid for a few years, with PSG refusing to let go, and Cristiano’s legacy with the Los Blancos is seen as one of the biggest inspirations for the Paris-born star's desire.

He never, however, managed to play with his idol, but he did with Messi for two seasons at PSG. And although they failed on the European stage, they won two Ligue 1 titles together.

Also, despite scoring a hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final, he was denied his second Mundial by a Messi-led Argentina.

In a clip surfacing online today, the former Monaco forward suggested that he did not always appreciate the Argentine’s quality, citing his loyalty to Ronaldo as the reason.

The Portuguese and Argentine enjoyed a rivalry against each other for over two decades, and this has pitted their fans against each other. Mbappe, being a fan of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, was hence unreceptive to the Messi magic.

However, after two seasons of being his teammate, the Russia 2018 World Cup champion says he has now been struck by the Messi virus and is now a fan of both players.

"I love Cristiano," Mbappe said. 

"I was big fan of him when I was young. But I start to learn Messi too, because when you are a big fan of Cristiano when you are young, you can't see how Messi is good because you love Cristiano.

"But I grew up, and I like both now."