Lionel Messi has blasted Kylian Mbappe for an infamous comment relating to the World Cup, particularly the 2022 World Cup, MySportDab reports.
Kylian Mbappe had stoked reactions when he said that he considers the Euros more difficult to win than the World Cup.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Mbappe maintained that European teams have been dominating the World Cup because it was easier to win the global football tournament than the continental championship itself
“I consider the Euros more complicated than the World Cup, more complicated to win. If we talk about level, the Euros is more difficult because we are so used to playing against each other. Tactically, it is similar football,” he said.
Reacting to Kylian Mbappe’s claims, Messi told ESPN Argentina South America still have the strongest teams in the world. In a rather ironical tone, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner said “the Euros are important but it leaves out the strongest teams in the world from South America.”
“The Euros are very important, but it leaves out Argentina, three-time world champion; Brazil, five-time world champion; Uruguay, two-time world champion. There are many world champions left out to say that the Euros is the most difficult, right? In the World Cup, the best teams are there, and all the world champions are generally there. That’s why everyone wants to be a world champion,” Messi said.
MySportDab understands it is not the first time Kylian Mbappe had dragged South American teams into banter on which continent have the strongest football teams. Before the 2022 World Cup, the former PSG forward and Real Madrid striker said South American football is not as advanced as Europe
“They (South American football) are not as advanced as in Europe, that’s why when you look at the last World Cups it’s always Europeans who win.”
A few months after his comment, France lost 2022 World Cup final to South American team Argentina.
Based on records, European teams have won 12 World Cups while South American teams have won it 10 times.
