Mbappé to Inter Miami? France star's mischievous comment stirs rumor mill

Will former teammate and World Cup rival follow Messi to Miami?

The short answer is "No." Or, "Probably not." The highly speculative, don't-I-wish response is "Maybe?"

Kyllian Mbappé sparked a speculative ripple in the global soccer rumor pool during a news conference last week in Boston when asked whether he'd consider playing in Major League Soccer.

“The United States has a different culture than ours. I’ve always loved this culture where ambition knows no bounds. Will I come here before the end of my career? Maybe, I don’t know,” Mbappé said according to Athlon Sports, before adding with a smile. “David talks to me about it.”

"David," of course, is Sir David Beckham, former Manchester United, Real Madrid, Los Angeles Galaxy and England star and co-owner of Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami. As the first international soccer (and fashion) icon to play in MLS, he changed the league; as Inter Miami owner (with partners Jorge and Jose Mas), he worked behind the scenes to bring Lionel Messi to Inter Miami in 2023 with a signing even more sensational and game-changing than his own. If any team in North America can sign Mbappé, it's Inter Miami.

But would Mbappé come? In the same interview, the France, Real Madrid and former Paris Saint-Germain superstar fended off further questions about his future.

“I won’t be (playing soccer) at 40; they’ll have kicked me out before then,” Mbappé said. “I don’t make long-term plans. I want to enjoy this World Cup.”

As he should. The 27-year-old striker, who played with Lionel Messi at PSG in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, scored four times in three World Cup group stage matches for Les Bleus. Mbappé trails Messi by a single goal in this Cup's Golden Boot race, 4 to 5, and trails his former teammate by two goals for the most in World Cup history; Messi tied former leader Miroslav Klose of Germany at 16 with a hat trick for Argentina against Algeria and took the lead with two goals against Austria.

There's a reasonable chance that Mbappé could finish this year's World Cup as the competition's all-time leading scorer. Messi and Argentina are sentimental favorites to defend their 2022 title and become the first team to repeat since Brazil in 1962, but a very talented, very deep France squad that won the 2018 Cup and narrowly lost in penalty kicks to Argentina in 2022 are motivated to retake the title. Defending European champions Spain could claim the crown.

If the prolific French striker doesn't pass Messi this summer, he almost certainly will before he hangs up his cleats. With more opportunities since FIFA expanded the competition from 32 to 48 teamsthis year, and with Mbappé likely to play in at least two more World Cups -- he'll be 31 in 2030 and 35 in 2034 -- it's hard to imagine him not racking up a commanding advantage if he remains healthy.

No, Kyllian Mbappé is NOT Leo Messi; he can't equal the Inter Miami captain's brilliant understanding of the game, his vision, timing or playmaking ability. But that doesn't diminish his greatness; his speed, agility and scoring efficiency have garnered 410 goals and 127 assists in 535 competitive matches. Messi, by contrast, has 921 goals and 414 assists in 1,160 appearances.

Would I want Mbappé to succeed Messi at Nu Stadium? I can't think of anyone better. Besides being an all-time great talent, Mbappé's worldwide stature is comparable to Messi's, and he would command similar worldwide attention (and marketing potential).

Do I think it will happen? Not really. The Frenchman likely will stay in Europe as long as he feels able to compete successfully, and he's already said he doesn't expect to extend his career much past his prime. I don't want him to come if he isn't committed to giving his best. I never want Inter Miami to support the "retirement league" narrative.

On the other hand, I couldn't believe Messi would come to MLS until he did. Miracles are possible; dreams do come true. I'm sure we'll revisit this rumor repeatedly over the next decade. For now, let's just enjoy our great good fortune and enjoy both players, the GOAT and a possible future contender for that title.

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