Mbappé Says He Won’t Play Until 41 Like Ronaldo

Kylian Mbappé has said he does not intend to follow Cristiano Ronaldo by playing until the age of 41, while praising the Portugal forward for his remarkable longevity.

According to Fabrizio Romano on X on Thursday, the France captain was asked whether he could continue at the highest level for as long as Ronaldo has. Mbappé responded with a smile: “France would never let me play until I’m 41!”

He nevertheless credited Ronaldo for maintaining his physical and mental condition throughout his career. “Cristiano shows that if you’re in good physical and mental shape, you can play at this high level for a long time,” Mbappé said.

Despite his admiration, Mbappé admitted he does not see himself matching Ronaldo’s longevity. “In my case, I don’t see it happening,” he told BILD.

Ronaldo’s ability to keep competing at an elite level in his 40s remains an unusual example of career longevity, while Mbappé appears to have a different timeline in mind for his own career.