“[They] are bigger than the team” - Liverpool legend on why Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe and Messi keep playing despite poor form
Liverpool legend Steve McManaman recently spoke about why players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, and Lionel Messi are not benched despite poor form. This comes after Ronaldo notably played every match in EURO 2024 without scoring a single goal for Portugal, as they got knocked out against France in the quarterfinal.
The Selecao legend had the chance to open his tally in the competition from 12 yards in the Round of 16, as Portugal won a penalty in extra time. However, his effort was saved by goalkeeper Jan Oblak, and Ronaldo was inconsolable afterwards. They eventually went on to win the penalty shootout and face France, who beat them in penalties.
The case has been nearly similar for Kylian Mbappe, who has only scored a goal in his four games at the EUROs, and it came from the spot. Lionel Messi, on the other hand, has played all three group-stage games in Copa America without getting on the scoresheet.
This led to Steve McManaman explaining why they are still picked to play, even with poor form. In a conversation with ESPN while previewing the Spain vs France semi-final, he said:
“There’s only certain people in certain teams that are so-called superstars and are effectively bigger than the team. Kylian [Mbappe] is one of them, Cristiano [Ronaldo] is another, Lionel Messi is another. All three of their forms in the respective tournaments have been really poor."
McManaman continued:
“Kylian will play, if he wants to play. It will be his decision and his decision alone, not Didier Deschamps’. His form hasn’t been good enough. I don’t know if he can play with a different kind of mask on, maybe a mask which is clear.
"He is clearly being inhibited by this mask or due to its respiratory problems. We don’t know the full story, but he will have to perform and be at his best if they are going to beat this Spanish team because they are the standout side of the tournament.”
Mbappe will certainly be hoping he can excel when he leads France into the Allianz Arena to face Spain and potentially secure a seat in the EURO 2024 final.
When Kylian Mbappe placed Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo as the best in the world
Kylian Mbappe might have had Cristiano Ronaldo as his idol, but playing alongside Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain saw him change his 'best in the world' stance.
Back in December 2021, after PSG beat Club Brugge 4-1 in the UEFA Champions League group stage, Mbappe hailed the Argentine legend (via Marca):
"It's easy to play with Lionel Messi. He's the best player in the world. He won the Ballon d'Or a few days ago. He scored two goals today, he is happy, and I hope he will help us in the future."
Kylian Mbappe still revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo was his choice on most occasions, noting that "from one year to the next, my choice changes" between the two legends. In the meantime, though, he will be focused on leading France to win EURO 2024.