Lionel Messi responds after Kylian Mbappe claimed winning Euros is harder than the World Cup

Argentina legend Lionel Messi has responded after Kylian Mbappe claimed winning the Euros is more difficult than winning the World Cup.

As Euro 2024 edges ever closer, France superstar Mbappe claimed that winning the Euros is more difficult than going all the way in the World Cup.

As reported by The Mirror, the Real Madrid forward said: “In my opinion, it's a more challenging competition than a World Cup.

“It's very tough starting from group stages. It's a competition we haven't won for 24 years which is huge.”

Speaking ahead of the Copa America, Argentina great Messi has responded to Mbappe’s comments.

He said to ESPN: “Obviously, the Euro cup is a very important competition where the best are, but it is leaving out Argentina, three-time champion of the world, Brazil, five-time world champion, and Uruguay, a two-time champion.

“There are too many world champions out there to say that it is the most difficult. The World Cup is where the best are, generally, all the world champions. Everyone wants to be world champion.”

During his interview with CNN, Mbappe spoke about his desire to complete the set having already won the World Cup and the Nations League with France.

He said: “I want to win the Euros. I have to be honest. I won the World Cup. I won the Nations League. That’s the only one that missed me with the national team after I did everything with the national team.

“I really want to win this. My first competition as captain, so it’s really important for me and it’s always important for the country and we want them to be proud of us. [It’s] another opportunity to write the history of my country.”

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When asked about his 2022 World Cup disappointment, Mbappe replied: “Of course, we were hurt, to see that you’re close to something … Close to the back-to-back. Something amazing. Something historic.

“Everybody loved the game except for us. We didn’t like that, but it’s part of the game. Now, when I watch the video of the game, I watch with a smile because it’s part of the history and we know what we have to do if we go again in the final. We have to play all the game and no have reaction.”

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