India, June 22 -- The opening round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage saw football's biggest stars arrive in style. Lionel Messi struck a sensational hat-trick for Argentina, while Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane all scored braces for their respective nations. Yet when asked to rank himself alongside those names, Mbappe had no hesitation in placing Messi at the very top - while also making sure to include his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo, despite the Portugal captain's difficult start to the tournament.

Speaking ahead of France's second group-stage match against Iraq in Philadelphia, Mbappe was asked to pick the best player among himself, Messi, Haaland and Kane. The French captain immediately chose the Argentine legend, who...