Mbappé rejects the Ronaldo route for France, doesn't believe in it

Kylian Mbappé said in an interview that he does not want to play for France as long as his youth idol Cristiano Ronaldo. The 27‑year‑old striker, who already has 106 caps, does not believe he can stay active until he is 41 – he does not believe in that.

Ronaldo still plays for Portugal

The Portuguese is now 41 years old and played up front against Wales yesterday. Portugal won that match 1‑0.

Mbappé, now 27, has so far 106 caps for Les Bleus to his name. He says he wants to win the Champions League once, a prize he has not yet captured.

‘Let’s be honest, France will never let me play until I’m 41’, Mbappé said in the interview. He added: ‘Cristiano proves that you can play at this level for a long time if you are physically and mentally fit, but in my case I don’t believe that.’

That does not mean Mbappé wants to stop playing football relatively early. He actually wants to stay at the top level as long as possible, but without the extreme length of Ronaldo’s international career.

Ronaldo has now played 234 caps for Portugal, almost double Mbappé’s tally. Mbappé emphasizes that he regards Ronaldo with respect as an example of physical and mental fitness.