Rooney hails Mbappe’s special genius: ‘He never lets Messi win the golden boot, and he silences critics with goals’

Wayne Rooney has delivered a glowing assessment of Kylian Mbappé, branding the France superstar as “one of the best players in modern football” and praising his ruthless determination to stay ahead of Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race—a drive that Rooney says forces rivals like Erling Haaland into fits of frustration.

Speaking as a pundit following France’s high-stakes World Cup outing, the Manchester United legend reserved his highest praise not just for Mbappé’s technical ability, but for his unbreakable mental fortitude in the face of hostility.

“The Taunts Turned Into Absolute Silence”

Rooney pointed specifically to a defining moment in France’s recent match, where Mbappé found himself targeted by opposition supporters with deafening boos and jeers. Rather than shrinking under the pressure, the 27-year-old responded in the most devastating fashion—by finding the back of the net.

“The taunts and the boos turned into absolute silence after he scored,” Rooney remarked. “A truly great performance from him. One of the best players in modern football right now, he is just so special in a special role within this France team. It’s great to see him always scoring.”

Rooney’s comments reflect a growing sentiment that Mbappé has matured beyond being a mere speedster into a complete, game-breaking forward. Operating in a fluid system under Didier Deschamps—often shuttling between a central striker role and a wide inside-forward—Mbappé has become the undeniable focal point of Les Bleus’ attacking machinery.

The Rivalry With Messi and Haaland

Perhaps the most provocative part of Rooney’s analysis was his take on the intergenerational scoring race. “He never lets Lionel Messi win the Golden Boot,” Rooney stated, referencing Mbappé’s obsessive pursuit of individual accolades.

While Messi—arguably the greatest of all time—continues to rack up goals for Argentina, Mbappé has shown a relentless hunger to match and surpass him, most notably in domestic seasons and major international tournaments. Rooney also noted that this same level of competitive fire is what drives Erling Haaland to fury. The Manchester City marksman has previously voiced his irritation at Messi’s Ballon d’Or victories, and Rooney suggested Mbappé shares that same burning desire to be the undisputed top dog.

“He is just so special in the world of football,” Rooney added. “When he is on the pitch, he doesn’t just play; he dominates the narrative.”

A Leader in the Making

Beyond the goals, Rooney highlighted Mbappé’s evolving leadership role. With Hugo Lloris and Antoine Griezmann moving into the twilight of their international careers, Mbappé has increasingly become the vocal commander of France’s dressing room. His ability to carry the weight of a nation, absorb hostile atmospheres, and silence doubters with clinical precision is what separates him from his peers, Rooney argued.

As France look to navigate the treacherous knockout rounds, Rooney’s verdict makes one thing clear: as long as Mbappé is on the pitch, opposing defenders cannot rest. And if they boo him, they better be ready to watch him celebrate right in front of them.