For many footballers, the chance to share the field with Lionel Messi is a dream. For Kylian Mbappé, that dream became reality-but not without moments of disbelief.

In a recent interview, the Real Madrid forward admitted, "I have a great relationship with Messi. I never thought I would play with him."

He went on to praise Messi and place him alongside Cristiano Ronaldo as icons of the sport: "He is unique, just like Cristiano, we sometimes underestimate what they have achieved."

Mbappé's reflections draw back the curtain on how much the experience of playing with Messi has meant-not just in terms of performance, but in personal growth and the shaping of his own football identity.

Lessons from legends: growth through partnership

When Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, it marked the beginning of a high-profile attacking trio-Messi, Mbappé, and Neymar-that captured global attention.

Mbappé, already a generational talent, suddenly had the chance to collaborate with a player whose accolades and footballing wisdom spanned decades.

Yet, even amid the fanfare and expectations, Mbappé says he still processed it as something surreal. His comment underscores the distance he once felt between his ascendant career and the legacy Messi embodied.

What this collaboration offered Mbappé was an environment to grow. He told BeIN Sports that both Messi and Ronaldo are sometimes underestimated for what they've achieved, suggesting that working alongside Messi sharpened his awareness of excellence and consistency..

Over their seasons together, Mbappé learned different versions of forward play-how to combine, how to respect spatial relationships, and how to carry the burden of expectation.

He also witnessed Messi balance humility and genius, qualities often discussed but less often experienced firsthand by young stars.

🫂🇦🇷 Kylian Mbappé: “I was lucky to be able to play with Leo Messi. He is totally normal, he has respect for everyone”.

“I never thought I’d play with him because my dream was always Real Madrid, I never thought about joining Barcelona in my life”. pic.twitter.com/73WxcttJAg

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 12, 2025

Mbappe thriving out of Messi's shadow

In the years since Messi's departure to Inter Miami, Mbappé has had space to reinvent himself. Yet, his respect for that time remains clear. The connection, he says, is real-and rare.

Playing with Messi also sparked comparisons and questions around Mbappé's own legacy. France's captain has chased the shadow of legends-Ronaldo, Messi, Cruyff. But his stint alongside Messi gave him a direct lens into what greatness demands beyond raw talent.

In interviews, Mbappé has spoken of both legends not as rivals to beat, but as benchmarks to approach. His admission of surprise at their partnership is, therefore, less about status and more about perspective-recognizing how fortunate he was.

His journey from Bondy neighborhood to global stardom had led to this moment, and he embraced it as both gift and challenge. As Mbappé continues his tenure at Real Madrid, fans and critics will evaluate whether his career reaches the heights of those he once watched from afar.

But his relationship with Messi offers something different: a memory that sits behind every sprint, shot, and assist-a reminder that greatness can teach greatness.