Euro 2024: Messi’s response to Kylian Mbappé

Lionel Messi, the 36-year-old Inter Miami striker, gave an interview to ESPN on Wednesday in which he revealed the last club he plans to retire to. The Argentinian striker also took the opportunity to respond to Kylian Mbappé’s comments about the difference in standards between the World Cup and the Euros.

“For me, the Euros are a very complicated competition, more so than the World Cup. All the teams know each other at the Euros, we’re used to playing each other all the time, so tactically it’s a similar kind of football. It’s difficult from the group stages onwards,” explained the new Real Madrid player.

Lionel Messi was keen to clarify this statement ahead of the Euro, which kicks off in Germany on 14 June.

“Everyone gives priority to their own tournament and it’s obvious that the Euros are very important and that they bring together the best teams. But that doesn’t take into account Argentina, three-time world champions, Brazil, five-time world champions, or Uruguay, two-time world champions. There are many world champions who are not included. The best teams take part in the World Cup. There’s a reason why everyone wants to be world champion,” said the captain of the 2022 world champions.

These two captains of their national teams are expected to join their respective teams for the forthcoming continental competitions. Lionel Messi and Argentina for the Copa America, Kylian Mbappé and the French team for the Euro in Germany.