Kylian Mbappe snubbed by former team-mate as Lionel Messi comparisons shut down (2025)

Kylian Mbappe may be one of the greatest forwards in the world of football at present, but one former team-mate says that he cannot be compared to Barcelona, PSG and Inter Miami great, Lionel Messi

Hugo Lloris has shut down any comparisons between Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi, insisting that the Argentine is "unique".

Thanks to a trophy-laden career with the likes of AS Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, and Real Madrid - as well as lifting the 2018 World Cup with France - Mbappe has already carved out an incredible name for himself despite his age. However, his compatriot and former national team-mate Lloris believes that he 26-year-old cannot be compared to footballing great, Messi, who shared the pitch with Mbappe for two seasons at PSG between 2021 and 2023.

Speaking to La Nacion, the shot-stopper said: "Is Mbappé similar to Messi? No, Messi is unique. It's absolutely impossible to compare him to anyone. I don't see Argentina without Messi in the next World Cup. I think it will be with Messi.

"He still plays and enjoys football. It's his decision, but we want to see him play. I have a lot of admiration for Leo. For me, he's at the top of the list of the best players, without a doubt.

"I'm from the generation that was able to watch and play against Leo." Elsewhere, Lloris also praised the MLS for being able to draw in big-name stars like Messi - who joined Inter Miami after his sweet stint with PSG two years ago.

The 38-year-old added: "I think the MLS is evolving year after year; it is improving and growing stronger. Obviously, since Messi's arrival in Miami, the league has started to get a lot more exposure all over the world, and that is incredible for its image.

"Also, it is becoming more interesting to compete in the MLS because very important figures like [Luis] Suárez, Jordi Alba and many others bring their experience and quality with them. On the other hand, I want to say that I am impressed: there are many players who, when I arrived, I did not know, and they are really very good and talented.

"Surely, in time, they will be able to play in Europe. So far, it has been a very good experience for me."

Messi spent 17 years with Barcelona's first team between 2004 and 2021, racking up 672 goals and 303 assists in 778 games to become the club's all-time leading goalscorer, while lifting ten La Liga titles, 14 domestic trophies, and four Champions Leagues. He then moved on to PSG in a free transfer in 2021, scooping two Ligue 1 titles and a Trophee des Champions before landing at Inter Miami two years later.

With eight Ballon d'Ors to his name, as well as a World Cup with his native Argentina, Messi will go down in the annals of history as potentially the greatest footballing talent of all time. And at the age of 37, he still continues to impress in the MLS while showing no signs of slowing down any time soon.

It comes after Messi and Lloris were pitted off against one another in the quarter-finals of the Concacaf Champions Cup earlier this month. Lloris kept a clean sheet for Los Angeles FC in the maiden fixture as his side ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a 57th minute goal from Nathan Ordaz.

However, Inter Miami turned it around on home soil in the second leg of the competition, running out 3-1 winners and advancing to the semi-finals thanks to a brace from Messi and a goal from Federico Redondo in response to Aaron Long taking the lead early for LA FC.

Miami will need to once more turn around a deficit around should they hope to make it to the final of the tournament, given that their first leg of the semis resulted in a 2-0 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps on Friday. The two sides are set to meet again at the Chase Stadium on Thursday, with the winner facing either Cruz Azul or Tigres UANL in the final.

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