Star Lionel Messi has spoken out to deny former teammate Kylian Mbappe’s opinion that the European Football Championship (Euro) is more attractive than the World Cup.
In early June, striker Kylian Mbappe caused controversy when he declared that the Euro was a tougher tournament than the World Cup.
However, in an exclusive interview with ESPN yesterday (June 12), star Lionel Messi denied the views of his former teammate at Paris Saint Germain.
Messi disagrees with Mbappe about the view that the Euro is harsher than the World Cup (Photo: Getty).
“Mbappe said this? Well, he also said that the South American tournament (Copa America) is not as competitive as the Euro. Of course everyone takes their tournament seriously.
Yes, the Euros are important, but they don’t have Argentina, 3-time world champions; Brazil, 5-time world champions; Uruguay, 2-time world champions. There are so many world champions left out of the list that it makes the Euros the toughest, right?
Remember in the World Cup, the best teams are present, all world champions in general are present. That’s why everyone wants to become world champion,” Messi affirmed.
Messi is focusing with the Argentina team to prepare for the 2024 Copa America taking place from June 20 to July 14, in 14 US cities. Argentina will play three Copa America Group A matches against Canada, Chile and Peru on June 21, June 26 and June 30, respectively.
Notably, in an exclusive interview with ESPN , Messi also revealed that he will not attend the 2024 Paris Olympics next July.
“I spoke with the coach of the Argentine Olympic team, Javier Mascherano and the truth is that we both understand the situation. It’s difficult to go to the Olympics because I will have to stretch myself in the Copa America. Two, three months in a row I can’t I’m with Inter Miami Club and most of all, I’m not at an age where I can participate in everything.
I have to choose carefully, and it would be too much to play two tournaments in a row. I was very lucky to compete in the Olympics and win with Mascherano. It was a great experience at the football level, memories I will never forget,” Messi expressed.
Messi could miss at least five Inter Miami matches as he heads to the 2024 Copa America with Argentina, and more if the 37-year-old is at the Olympics.
As the record holder of winning the Golden Ball eight times, Messi also won an Olympic gold medal with Argentina in 2008 in Beijing (China). El Pulga has completed a full set of international titles with the national team, including Copa America in 2021 and World Cup in 2022.
