One can not exactly say there is a strong rivalry between Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe just like the one that still exists between and the former and Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi and Mbappe in a way represent two different generation of footballers even though both them have played together and against each other in recent times.
While Messi is seen as the symbol of football excellence arguably for almost two decades, Kylian Mbappe, who took the World by storm at the 2018 FIFA World Cup is not just seen as the best footballer of his generation but one that will be the talking point in football for the next few years just like Messi and Ronaldo have done since the late 2000s till now.
Messi and Mbappe enjoy a seemingly healthy relationship on and off the pitch having played together at Paris Saint German for the two years. Even though things didn’t exactly work well for the latter in the French capital which eventually saw him leave for Inter Miami this summer, there is an indication that there is no squabble between the two especially after the outcome of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup where Argentina beat France to win the trophy after a pulsating 120 minutes of football at the Lusail Stadium.
The meeting between Messi and Mbappe is most likely going to be the grandest individual show of talent and resilience at the global football stage considering the ages of both players: 36, 24 respectively. While Messi and Mbappe are still active, the former might likely not be at the 2026 World Cup but the French star barring injury or suspension will captain a very young French squad to the tournament returns to the Americas for the first time since 1994.
However, the first meeting between Messi and Mbappe dates back to 2018 at the FIFA World Cup in Russia. It was one of the most interesting matches of the tournaments as France met Argentina in the second round. Who won the match? Who scored? We shall answer these questions and more in this post.
What Happened When Messi and Mbappe First Met?
The first meeting between Messi and Mbappe at the international level wasn’t as explosive as the final of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup between eventually winners, Argentina and France but it was quite memorable. Argentina struggled to impress in the group stage as they qualified for the knock-out round. When it became evident that they will meet in France in the second round, many fans concluded that their cup was already full – they will be beaten thoroughly by the Kylian Mbappe-inspired French team and it turned out so.
Antoine Griezmann, who has been showcasing his brilliance for the French team in Qatar, initiated the scoring during that match by converting a penalty within the initial 15 minutes. Just before halftime, Angel Di Maria equalized the score with a well-executed goal, intensifying the stakes for the second half.
In a dramatic turn, it was the Argentinians who seized the advantage with a goal from Gabriel Mercado. However, a mere 10 minutes later, Benjamin Pavard stunned spectators with a remarkable half-volley, equalizing the match in a truly memorable fashion.
And then, in a sequence that felt almost destined, Kylian Mbappé emerged as the game-changer. The Frenchman swiftly netted two goals in succession, firmly propelling his nation toward victory. Despite a stoppage-time goal by Sergio Aguero, the clock ran out for Argentina, and France marched resolutely towards securing the championship title.
How many times has Messi and Mbappe met?
Messi and Mbappe have faced each other four times at both club and country levels.
The duo crossed paths twice during THE 2020/2021 Champions League knockout encounter when Messi was still an integral part of FC Barcelona.
In the initial leg of that round of 16 showdown, Messi initiated the scoring with a successful penalty, only for Mbappé to put on a dazzling show by notching a hat-trick at Camp Nou. This extraordinary performance gave Paris Saint-Germain a commanding 4-1 advantage heading into the subsequent leg, during which Moise Kean also found the back of the net.
Both Mbappé and Messi showcased their scoring prowess once more in the follow-up leg. However, it was the young prodigy who emerged triumphant in that duel as Paris Saint-Germain progressed to the quarter-finals, concluding the tie with a 5-2 aggregate scoreline in their favor.
Lionel Messi vs Kylian Mbappe: Team and individual honours
Lionel Messi’s individual awards and trophies both for clubs and country are like see sands when compared to that of Kylian Mbappe having played for longer period of time. Howvever, both players have won the most important title in the career of any football player; the FIFA World Cup.
In the realm of football, numbers can only unveil a portion of the narrative; this dynamic duo exemplifies that truth.
Their impact on their respective teams is palpable, often extending beyond the realm of statistics. Therefore, it’s worth delving into the championship victories that owe much of their success to these exceptional players…
Messi
Team | Individual
- FIFA: Best Men’s Player (2019, 2009)
- Ballon d’Or (2021, 2019, 2015, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009)
- UEFA: Best Player in Europe (2015, 2011, 2009)
- 3x FIFA Club World Cup
- 1x Copa America (International)
- 4x Champions League winner
- 10x La Liga Champion
- 1x Ligue 1 Champion
- 1x Leagues Cup (Inter Miami)
- 3x UEFA Super Cup winner
- 7x Spanish Cup winner
- 8x Spanish Super Cup winner
- 1x French Cup winner
- 1x U20 World Cup winner
- 1x Olympic Gold Medalist
- 1x CONMEBOL Uefa Cup of Champions winner (International)
Mbappe
Team | Individual
- 1x World Cup winner (International)
- 1x UEFA Nations League winner (International)
- 5x Ligue 1 winner
- 3x French Super cup winner
- 3x French Cup winner
- 2x French League Cup winner
- 1x Footballer of the Year (2018)
Messi and Mbappe: Head-to-head stats
| Lionel Messi | Matches Played | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Club | 864 | 711 | 335 |
| Country | 171 | 96 | 55 |
| Kylian Mbappe | Matches Played | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Club | 297 | 217 | 109 |
| Country | 65 | 33 | 23 |
