Lionel Messi has hit back at Kylian Mbappe’s claim that the Euros are a tougher competition than the World Cup, pointing out that there are several world champions at the Euros.
Ahead of Euro 2024 in Germany, Mbappe claimed the continental competition was “more complicated than the World Cup”, but Messi disputed his former PSG teammate’s claim.
“Well, everyone puts their own tournament first,” Messi began, speaking to ESPN Argentina ahead of Argentina’s participation in this summer’s Copa America.
“Of course the Euros are very important and the best teams take part, but he excludes three-time winners Argentina, five-time winners Brazil and two-time winners Uruguay. To say it’s the toughest tournament excludes a lot of world champions.”
“The best teams play in the World Cup. Usually all the world champions play in the World Cup. There’s a reason why everyone wants to be champion.”
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Messi’s Argentina are the reigning Copa America champions after beating Brazil in the 2021 final, while France are bidding to win their first trophy since winning the 2018 World Cup.
Mbappe won the Golden Boot at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, but his France lost at the final hurdle to Messi’s Argentina.
Ahead of this summer’s Euros, the French forward explained why he believes it is the toughest international competition in the world.
“The Euros are complicated, for me they are more complicated than the World Cup,” Mbappe told a news conference.
“The pressure is increased at the World Cup. All the teams know each other, they play against each other all the time. Tactically it’s very similar football.”
He also echoed similar pro-Europe sentiments ahead of the 2022 World Cup, saying countries like Argentina and Brazil do not face the same level of competition as Europe.
“The advantage for us Europeans is that we can always play against each other in high-level matches like the Nations League,” he said, via Boravip.
“When we go to the World Cup, we’re ready. Brazil and Argentina are not at that level in South America. Football is not as advanced as it is here in Europe. That’s why the defending world champions are always Europeans.”
France will open its Euros play against Austria on June 17, while Argentina will face Canada on June 20.