Kylian Mbappe Given Lionel Messi Reality Check by Marseille Captain Before Real Madrid’s Champions League Opener

Real Madrid’s new talisman Kylian Mbappe is already lighting up the Santiago Bernabeu, but not everyone is ready to crown him the best in the world just yet. Ahead of Madrid’s Champions League opener against Marseille, Leonardo Balerdi, the Ligue 1 side’s captain, offered a blunt reminder that Lionel Messi still holds the title of football’s finest — at least in his eyes.

It’s the kind of comment that fuels debates among fans and pundits alike. While Mbappe is enjoying a blistering start to life in Madrid, Balerdi’s words are a timely reminder of the enduring shadow cast by the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Balerdi: “Messi Will Be the Best Until He Retires”

Speaking to French media before his team’s trip to Spain, Balerdi made his stance crystal clear.

“Until Messi retires, Messi will be the best player in the world,” the Marseille defender said. “But I’m sure Kylian is one of the best in the world, too. He’s been proving it for years, and this year he’s also at a great level.”

It’s a diplomatic answer, but one that reaffirms the respect Messi still commands among his Argentina teammates. For Balerdi, there is simply no debate — Messi’s body of work keeps him on top until he decides to hang up his boots, even as Mbappe continues to score goals and break records.

Mbappe’s Brilliant Start at Real Madrid

Lionel Messi

Balerdi’s words won’t bother Mbappe too much — the Frenchman has been too busy thriving under Xabi Alonso’s system at Real Madrid. Since his headline-grabbing summer switch from Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappe has hit the ground running, showing exactly why Madrid fought so hard to bring him to the Spanish capital.

He has already scored crucial goals in La Liga, with his pace and movement adding another dimension to Madrid’s attack. The chemistry he has built with Vinícius Jr. and Jude Bellingham in such a short time is frightening, and it’s no surprise that Los Blancos are top of the table with four wins from four.

Tuesday night’s Champions League clash against Marseille, though, will be another big test. The Bernabeu crowd will expect a statement performance, and Mbappe thrives on the big stage.

Marseille’s Plan to Stop Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe celebration

Balerdi also hinted that his side are well-prepared to handle Mbappe and the rest of Madrid’s attacking threats.

“If you look at the names on Real Madrid’s roster, it’s impressive,” he admitted. “But we have to work the same way. The players are top quality, but we have to do what we do every weekend: stay focused. Any opportunity can change the course of the match. We’re ready to play against these great players. It’s a challenge, and we have to be smart.”

Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille are known for their high-tempo pressing game and tactical discipline, and they will need every ounce of that to frustrate Madrid on their home turf. Stopping Mbappe is easier said than done, but Marseille will look to close spaces quickly and deny him the chance to run in behind — something defenders across Europe have struggled to do for years.

The Bigger Picture for Madrid

This week marks a crucial period for Xabi Alonso’s team. After hosting Marseille in the Champions League, they face Espanyol in La Liga on September 20. Madrid’s perfect start has them leading the table, but Barcelona are lurking just two points behind, waiting for any slip-up.

Alonso knows the importance of maintaining momentum both domestically and in Europe. A win against Marseille would not only give them three points but also set the tone for the rest of their Champions League campaign.

The Messi vs Mbappe Debate

Of course, Balerdi’s comments add another layer to the never-ending debate about who is the world’s best player. Mbappe has long been tipped as Messi’s successor, the next global superstar to dominate football’s biggest stages.

But Messi’s longevity — now continuing in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami — has kept him firmly in the conversation, even as he approaches the twilight of his career. His World Cup win in Qatar only strengthened his legacy, giving him the ultimate crowning achievement.

For Mbappe, the challenge is clear: continue to produce at the highest level, deliver for Real Madrid in Europe, and add the Champions League trophy to his growing list of accolades.

Santiago Bernabeu Awaits a Statement

When Marseille step out at the Bernabeu on Tuesday, they will face not just Mbappe but a Madrid side full of confidence and determination. The crowd will be expectant, the atmosphere electric, and all eyes will be on the man wearing white No. 7.

If Mbappe delivers another scintillating performance, the calls for him to be recognized as the best in the world will only grow louder. But if Marseille can frustrate him and leave Madrid with a result, Balerdi’s words about Messi’s continued supremacy will feel even more pointed.

One thing is certain: this is the kind of matchup that makes the Champions League so special — the kind where individual brilliance and tactical battles collide under the bright lights of Europe’s biggest stage.