Messi and Mbappe’s parallel World Cup journeys
The World Cup has presented a striking parallel between the campaigns of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. Their performances have often mirrored each other, creating a dynamic where one’s actions seem to be followed by the other’s. This has led to moments of both high achievement and missed opportunities for both players.
During the tournament, both players have faced penalty situations. Messi stepped up for a penalty against Egypt, while Mbappe was awarded one against Morocco. Goalkeepers Mostafa Shobeir and Yassine Bounou made saves from both attempts, briefly making the two prominent players appear vulnerable.
Despite these moments, both players have continued to make their mark. Messi’s name appeared on the halo screen at the Mercedes Benz Stadium, and Mbappe’s flashed up at the Gillette Stadium. Argentina and France have continued their respective paths through the tournament bracket. The former PSG teammates appear to be on a trajectory that could lead to a final encounter, reminiscent of their meeting four years ago.
Mbappe, at 27 years old, has been a key figure for France, contributing significantly to their progress to the quarter-final stage. He has scored seven goals in five matches in this tournament. Mbappe is aiming to reach his third consecutive World Cup final in his third tournament, building on a notable record on the sport’s biggest stage.
Mbappe has stated his focus is solely on assisting his team, rather than observing Messi’s performance. He mentioned, “If I focused on watching what Leo scores, I would have to work even harder. So no, I don’t pay attention to what (Messi) does at all. I’m only thinking about helping my team.”
Contrasting paths to success
While their outcomes sometimes align, the nature of their journeys in this World Cup has differed. Messi’s campaign has been characterized by navigating through challenging situations and moments of intense pressure. His team, Argentina, has experienced difficult matches, particularly since the knockout stages commenced.
Messi’s tournament began with a memorable hat-trick against Algeria. However, he also faced a moment where he could have been sent off for a foul on Aissa Mandi before scoring. Algeria subsequently filed a formal complaint to FIFA regarding the incident. Messi also experienced emotional moments, including crying after a match, which he attributed to personal reasons related to his father’s health.
In a match against Cape Verde in the Round of 32, Messi gave Argentina the lead. However, Cape Verde consistently challenged Argentina, leading to a closely contested match. Later, against Egypt, Argentina found themselves behind. Messi’s missed penalty added to the team’s anxiety, but he later contributed to a comeback, scoring an equalizer and seeing his team win in the 93rd minute, after which he again became emotional.
In contrast, France’s progression has appeared more serene. They have not been taken to extra-time in their matches and have not conceded a goal in the knockout stages. Mbappe, despite facing physical challenges from opponents like Paraguay and experiencing racial abuse from a Paraguayan senator, has maintained a composed demeanor on the field.
France’s team dynamic, with players like Ousmane Dembele and the connection Mbappe shares with Michael Olise, contributes to their ability to create numerous scoring opportunities. This environment means that even when Mbappe missed his penalty, he did not appear unsettled. Coach Deschamps affirmed the team’s confidence, stating, “There were no doubts in the players’ heads or Kylian’s head.”
Mbappe ultimately found a way to score, curling a shot past Issa Diop and Bounou. This goal marked his 20th World Cup goal. Towards the end of a match, Mbappe briefly signaled for a substitution due to a minor ankle issue, but he was later seen celebrating enthusiastically at full-time, indicating the issue was precautionary.
Both Messi and Mbappe share the ambition of securing a second World Cup title. Their distinct approaches to the tournament have provided compelling narratives throughout the competition.
Mbappe has scored 19 goals in 19 matches overall in the World Cup. He has converted 65 of 80 career penalties, achieving a conversion rate of 81%.
France’s path in the 2026 World Cup included victories such as France 3-1 Senegal on June 16, France 3-0 Iraq on June 22, France 4-1 Norway on June 26, France 3-0 Sweden on June 30, and France 1-0 Paraguay on July 4.
Source: nytimes.com
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