Sunil Chhetri Hails Messi-Ronaldo 'Legacy' But Wants Mbappe And Haaland To 'Create Their Own Stories'

Last Updated:June 25, 2026, 14:31 IST

Sunil Chhetri praises Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for record breaking FIFA World Cup 2026 feats, hails rising stars Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland

Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri has hailed the performances of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi at the FIFA World Cup 2026, praising both the enduring brilliance of the veterans as well as the emergence of a new generation of elite forwards like Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.

Reflecting on the performances of the world’s leading forwards, Chhetri said the tournament’s marquee names have all risen to the occasion. “I think none of them have disappointed. Messi, Ronaldo, Haaland, Mbappe, Harry Kane, Isak, Gyokeres; all the strikers who were talked about before the tournament have delivered. It’s not very common for all the big names to come to the party so early in a major tournament, and that’s been amazing for football fans," Sunil Chhetri was quoted as saying to Zee5, the official broadcaster of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in India.

Messi Magic And Ronaldo Consistency

Messi has once again enhanced his legendary status in the FIFA World Cup. The Argentine captain became the all-time leading men’s goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history after scoring his 17th and 18th World Cup goals during Argentina’s victory over Austria, moving ahead of Miroslav Klose’s previous record of 16.

Cristiano Ronaldo has also continued to rewrite football history. The Portuguese superstar became the first player to score in six different FIFA World Cups after netting twice against Uzbekistan. At 41 years and 138 days, he also became the second-oldest goalscorer in World Cup history.

“Think about Messi and Ronaldo, who are almost 40. For them to perform like this on the world stage is unbelievable. If there is one thing young footballers should learn from them, it’s their hunger. They have won almost everything in football, but they still play with the same desire and commitment," Chhetri said.

Asked to identify his favourite moments of the tournament, Chhetri pointed to Messi’s memorable hat-trick, Japan’s dominant 4-0 triumph, and the Morocco-Scotland encounter that he watched live in Boston.

“Messi’s hat-trick reminded everyone why he remains one of the greatest players to ever play the game. Japan’s 4-0 win was another special moment because it showcased how far Asian football has progressed. And Morocco versus Scotland was a fantastic match to witness live, both because of the atmosphere and the quality on display," he added.

Haaland-Mbappe’s Own Legacy

Chhetri also highlighted the achievements of younger stars. Kylian Mbappe recently became only the tenth French player to reach 100 international appearances and now sits just behind Messi on the World Cup scoring charts. Meanwhile, Erling Haaland has made a flying start to the competition, scoring four goals in the group stage.

Looking ahead, Chhetri believes football supporters should cherish the opportunity to watch two of the sport’s greatest-ever players while also appreciating the rise of the next generation.

“I don’t think there is a rivalry between the generations. Messi and Ronaldo have created their own legacy, while Mbappe, Haaland and others will create their own stories. As a neutral, just watch them and enjoy. You never know how many more opportunities you’ll get to see Messi and Ronaldo on a stage like this," Chhetri said.

About the Author

Ritayan Basu

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for over a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket conten...Read More

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