What really is the hardest position in football? It might seem like a simple question when you think about some of the sacrifices that have been made by players in some positions.
You could argue that it is being a forward due to the fact that they have the most important job in the game of football. To score goals. A single big chance missed, and fans will never let you forget it.
You could argue that it is a midfielder, for someone who has to maintain composure and ensure that the ball travels seamlessly from one end of the pitch to the other.
You could argue that it is a defender or a goalkeeper. For players in these positions, there is little to no room for error, and any mistakes will always be blamed on them and will lead to severe criticism.
Well, no matter what your take is on the debate, Kylian Mbappe just dropped his opinion on The Bridge Podcast alongside Achraf Hakimi, Aurelien Tchouaméni, and Malik Bentalha.
“Midfield is the most difficult position in football. You can win without a striker, you can win without a defender. You can win without a goalkeeper, but without a good midfielder, your team will not have balance.”
Mbappe followed his opinion of being a midfielder by also talking about what he believed was the easiest position to play on a football field.
“The easiest position in football? In my opinion, it’s that of center back.”
“You’re covered from all directions, you can even play defense with 3.”
“It’s the only position where you can see guys who are 40 years old still playing in Europe, still at top clubs.
Also, while talking about playing at 40, Mbappe also talked about how most forwards lose their ability by that age. A particular Portuguese idol of his might disagree of course.
“And a 40-year-old striker is already done.”
The comments were noted and were not appreciated by former France and Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti.
Umititi talked about how the supposed “ease” of a defender’s position is not the reality.
In an interview during the “L’After Foot” programme on RMC, Umtiti talked about how one single position cannot be given importance and that all positions are equally crucial on the pitch.
“I don’t understand why he said that; Kylian knows this very well. I think I’ll have a word with him about it!”
“That’s what strikers often say; in defence, it’s completely different. You make one mistake and you pay for it immediately, so it’s not necessarily the easier position.”
“It’s true that playing with three defenders gives you greater security, but you’re still a defender at the end of the day. If you lose a one-on-one duel, you know the striker could run straight at goal and the match is over.”
“When you finish a match as a defender, you get a headache, because you have to be far more focused than a forward who can make ten mistakes without it having much impact.
When you finish a match as a defender, you get a headache, because you have to be far more focused than a forward who can make ten mistakes without it having much impact.”
Samuel Umtiti has FIRED BACK at Kylian Mbappé over his comments on the defender position:
— Topskills Sports UK (@topskillsportuk) April 6, 2026
“I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY HE SAID THAT. KYLIAN IS WRONG. I’M GOING TO TALK TO HIM, I THINK!”
Umtiti continued:
“Me, who has played in that position, believe me, it’s very complicated.… pic.twitter.com/HCZNImRkpz
The former defender is best known for being in the 2018 France squad with Kylian Mbappe that won the tournament. He is famous for playing the tournament with an injury that potentially affected him for the rest of his career. His most notable contribution in the world cup of course came in the semi-finals vs Belgium when he scored a goal and pulled of an iconic celebration.
Mbappe is without a doubt one of the most prolific forwards in the world having already scored more than 40 goals in a season.
Considering the pressue that rests on his shoulders game after game, it is clear to see why he would have the opinion he had. However, Umtiti’s statements are once again a reminder of how widely nuanced this debate is and how many different answers it could possibly have.
Sure would be interesting to hear the conversation that Umtiti and Kylian will have.
