Kylian Mbappe is better than Lionel Messi, claims Patrick Vieira

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The Independent

14 July 2026

Patrick Vieira maintains

Kylian Mbappe

, is better than

Lionel Messi

after his stunning form for

France

at the

World Cup 2026.

Mbappe has captained

Les Bleus

en route to the semi-finals against Spain and leads Messi in

the race for the golden boot after eight goals so far.

After a testing season with

Real Madrid

, Mbappe has recaptured his best form under Didier Deschamps and compatriot Vieira touched on the comparison between the 27-year-old and legendary

forward Thierry Henry, as well as Messi.

“It's a good comparison [between Kylian Mbappe and Thierry Henry],” Vieira told ITV Sport when asked about the difference between the two French football icons. “They are the two best-ever French No. 9s.

“But Mbappe is quicker with his feet, the goal vs Morocco shows it, no space, eight players around him, he finds the way to make the shot and score.

“I think Mbappe is the best player in the world, I'd put him even above Messi."

Recently asked about comparisons between himself and Messi, Mbappe underlined his focus is elsewhere.

France's Kylian Mbappe warms up before the

World Cup

semi-final (AP)

"We’re trying to win; we’re taking it one step at a time. Of course, the more goals you score, the higher you climb in the rankings. I’m not telling anyone anything new there,” Mbappe said.

"I'm also convinced that Leo (Messi) is going to score more goals.

“So I don't focus too much on that. I'm more focused on the opponents we might face and how close we're getting to our goal: the final.”

Mbappe is on 20 all-time

goals, one behind Messi’s record of 21, though the French forward has played 12 matches less entering the semi-finals of this year’s tournament, while featuring in three less tournaments.

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