'France would never let me play until 41': Mbappe dismisses Ronaldo comparison

Kylian Mbappe has made clear he does not see his own international career stretching anywhere near as long as Cristiano Ronaldo's, even as the Portuguese forward continues to headline Portugal's squad at the age of 41.

Speaking to German outlet Bild from France's training camp ahead of their UEFA Nations League A fixture against Turkiye, Mbappe was asked directly whether he could imagine himself still representing his country at that same age.

"Me, like him, still playing and in the national team at 41? We have to be honest, considering the national team I play for, France will never allow me to play until I am 41," Mbappe said, laughing off the comparison before offering a more considered response.

The Real Madrid forward, who has long cited Ronaldo as his childhood idol, acknowledged the scale of what the five time Ballon d'Or winner continues to sustain at an age when most professional footballers have already stepped away from international duty entirely.

"However, Cristiano shows that, if you are physically and mentally fit, it is possible to play at incredibly high levels for a long time. In my case, though, I do not think that will happen," Mbappe added, framing Ronaldo's longevity as a rare exception rather than a realistic blueprint for himself.

Elsewhere in the interview, Mbappe was also asked about growing speculation linking Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise with a potential future move to Real Madrid, a story that has gained particular traction in German and Spanish media in recent weeks.

Mbappe declined to comment on the speculation directly, instead drawing on his own experience of being the subject of transfer rumours during his t

ime at Paris Saint Germain. "I have heard the rumours, but these are things I know well and that also happened when I was at PSG," he said.

He was careful not to appear to encourage any move away from Olise's current club, praising both the player and his existing environment.

"I do not think it is respectful to advise a player I know well to change teams and leave the one he is currently at. Bayern are a great club and Michael can achieve great success there," he said.

Mbappe also acknowledged the wider appeal of a player of Olise's calibre across European football. "Yes, of course, someone like him is liked by every club in the world. We are talking about an exceptional player," he said.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, shows no signs of stepping back from international duty, having been called up once again for Portugal's upcoming Nations League fixtures under new head coach Jorge Jesus, who has publicly backed the veteran forward's continued involvement despite ongoing debate around his long term role.

Ronaldo has previously said he intends to keep playing for as long as he feels he still has something to offer the national team, or until Portugal no longer require his services, leaving no clear end point currently in sight for his international career.