Kylian Mbappe named NBA ‘Greatest Of All Time’ as his idol

Kylian Mbappe is one of the best footballers in the world today, but he once revealed it’s a basketball superstar who he looks up to for his status in and out of the game.

Mbappe, currently starring with Real Madrid at the FIFA Club World Cup, is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation, winning the FIFA World Cup with France in 2018.

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Following a hat-trick in the 2022 final, in which France were defeated by Argentina on penalties, Lionel Messi heaped praise on Mbappe: “It really was a breathtaking final. It was crazy how the match went. Kylian scored three incredible goals, in a final! Not being able to be champion after that was crazy.”

The Real Madrid superstar has scored 50 goals for his country, meaning he only needs eight more to be his nation’s greatest ever goalscorer at the age of just 26.

Kylian Mbappe	Major Trophies
Monaco
Ligue 1	2017
PSG
Ligue 1	2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024
Coupe de France	2018, 2020, 2021, 2024
Coupe de la Ligue	2018, 2020
Real Madrid
UEFA Super Cup	2024
FIFA Intercontinental Cup	2024
France
FIFA World Cup	2018
UEFA Nations League	2021

Mbappe has previously refused to pick a ‘Greatest Of All Time’ when it comes to football, revealing he believes Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are both the best, but he hasn’t been quite so diplomatic when it comes to picking his favourite NBA star.

Known as a big basketball fan, previously attending NBA Draft nights and even signing a media partnership with the league, Mbappe has become friends with San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama and is regularly spotted courtside at big games.

Mbappe names LeBron James as the ‘GOAT’

Speaking on his own Instagram page after LeBron James broke the all-time NBA scoring record, Mbappe called the Los Angeles Lakers forward the ‘the greatest’, and he previously revealed he idoloses James for his actions on and off the court.

“His career is far more advanced than mine and he has projects outside of sport which have secured his legendary status. Being able to seek advice from such inspiring personalities gives me the chance to adjust my projects accordingly and to create something of my own which is as impactful as possible for today’s young generation.”

James is a four-time NBA champion and four-time NBA MVP, while he also leads the all time records for most points and sits in the top ten for both assists and steals, but his 4-6 finals record opens the door for debate.

Michael Jordan won the title six times, significantly boasting a 6-0 finals record and being named the finals MVP in all six, while winning the regular season MVP award on five occasions.

LeBron James	Who’s the GOAT?	Michael Jordan
27.0	Points per game	30.1
7.5	Assists per game	6.2
7.4	Rebounds per game	5.3
1.5	Steals per game	2.3
0.7	Blocks per game	0.8
Four	NBA Championships	Six
Four	NBA MVPs	Five

ESPN’s Stephen A Smith believes Jordan’s peak puts him above the rest: “I’m putting nobody ahead of Michael Jordan. Nobody. Because my definition of the ‘GOAT’ is you at your best against anybody else at their best.

“There’s nobody who has been as good as long (as LeBron), meaning longevity, a sustained level of pristine excellence – LeBron James is the ‘GOAT’ in that category. But I don’t think LeBron’s best eclipses Jordan’s best.”

Mbappe’s verdict is perhaps symbolic of the generational divide that often defines the debate, while James still has the opportunity to extend his legacy with one more year left on his contract with the Lakers.