"Mbappe is already a global superstar who is most likely to jump in the shoes of Ronaldo, but not Messi - he can do things that others simply can't," former Barcelona striker Gary Lineker has said in an interview with Goal.
"Talent-wise, there's no question. It's more about whether he has the same drive to sustain his career over 17, 19 years like the two of them (Ronaldo and Messi). It's quite remarkable and it takes something special to do that.
"Ability-wise, he could go on to do those things with big rumours about Real Madrid. Does he need to move on from PSG to realise his ambitions of greatness? Maybe, I don't know, but I don't think it will distract him from the tournament itself.
"It always is about the next generation. We saw it in the Champions League but I think it was more that Barcelona and Juventus have weak teams in transition at the moment.
"Messi, this calendar year, has scored more and got more assists than anyone else. Ronaldo is still banging in loads of goals. They are phenomenal.
"We saw Erling Haaland and Mbappe coming through in the Champions League and we will see it again at the Euros, with Mbappe. Hopefully, with one or two England lads like Phil Foden, Mason Mount and Jadon Sancho [also doing well].
"I love Sancho and I think people will be surprised how good he is without watching as much foreign football. I am excited about Jude Bellingham, Nicolo Barella as well. There's also a lot of quality within the France team."
Mbappe and Haaland are viewed by many as the successors of Messi and Ronaldo.
While the Frenchman has long been linked with a move to Madrid, the Norwegian is said to be among Barca's major targets for the summer of 2022.
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Mourinho backs Mbappe to rule the world after Messi-Ronaldo era
"Kylian Mbappe is one of those players who win matches on their own and scare their opponents. He will try to prove to everyone that after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, he is the best," Jose Mourinho has told Route 1 Football.
Although both Messi and Ronaldo are way past their thirties, they aren't completely done yet. Leo, for example, had a decent 2020/21 season on the personal level, recording 38 goals and 14 assists in 47 matches for Barcelona.
In fact, Tribuna.com currently rate Messi above Mbappe in the Ballon d'Or power rankings.
Ruud Gullit names one young player who's 'in the same category as Messi' – it's not Mbappe or Haaland
"[Manchester] City have given [Phil] Foden his chance and he has shown he is unbelievable, that he is in the same category as Lionel Messi," the Netherlands' legend Ruud Gullit has told the BBC.
"In the past, only the big, strong, quick players were the ones always selected by the English teams but now I think smaller, agile and more technical players are trusted more," he added.
However, the Dutchman later clarified his stance: "Foden is not exactly like Messi as a player. They are the same when it comes to their stature, height and quickness."
Earlier, Pep Guardiola named Phil Foden the most talented player he has ever managed, even snubbing Leo Messi.
It's worth a mention that Foden usually plays a left winger while Messi operates on the right side.
The 20-year-old has scored 15 goals and provided 10 assists for Manchester City across all competitions this season.
