Kylian Mbappe: Why the ‘unstoppable’ star now wears the crown of the best player in the world
CNN
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Just 23 years old Kylian Mbappe won more in his short career than most players could ever achieve.
He has already won five national titles in France, scored 250 career goals and lifted the World Cup trophy four years ago.
Even though Mbappe has already proven that he belongs to the elite, he continues to improve season after season, and this year world Cup perhaps like the moment when he goes out alone as the best player in the world.
However, this name is not controversial.
While aging Cristiano Ronaldo No longer in contention for the title, Mbappe’s Paris Saint-Germain teammate Lionel Messi, who has won seven Ballon d’Or awards, delivered several mesmerizing performances for Argentina in Qatar. And let’s not forget players like Erling Haaland, who didn’t qualify for the tournament with Norway but promises to challenge Mbappe for the accolades.
But as this is Messi’s last World Cup, former France international and current Bordeaux manager Rio Mavuba says the baton of greatness has passed to Mbappe at this tournament.
“In this World Cup, power has shifted from Messi to Mbappe,” he told CNN ahead of the pair’s clash in the World Cup final on Sunday.
“Messi is still one of the greatest, maybe the best player of all time, but for now, Mbappe can eat at the same table as Messi.
“When he’s focused, he’s probably the best player in the world.”
Mavuba made 13 appearances for France and was included in Didier Deschamps’ squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
He watched from afar as the young Mbappe quickly became France’s most important player and says the striker’s speed and finishing touches make him “unstoppable” at times.
Mbappé was born and raised in Bondy, a suburb of Paris 11 kilometers from the city center, and apart from a two-year spell with Monaco, has lived his entire life in the French capital.
His spell at Monaco, where he won his first league title, drew worldwide attention and in 2017 the young sensation moved to PSG, initially on loan for the first year.
Deal reportedly worth $214 million but Mbappe seemed to take it all in stride.
Despite all the trophies he’s won and goals scored, Mavuba says the striker is just now entering his prime.
“Of course he has great speed, but I think the best skill is that he can do a lot of things. He can run fast, he can dribble, he can score, so it’s very difficult to catch him,” he said.
While Mbappe’s physique is undeniable, it’s his ability to handle such intense pressure that sets him apart, according to former PSG captain Didier Domy.
Domi, who has played over 100 games for PSG and now works at the club’s academy in Qatar, says Mbappe carries the weight of the nation on his shoulders, but his value seems to go beyond just his performances on the pitch and in the political arena. .
French President Emmanuel Macron stepped in earlier this year to plead with the young star to stay at PSG amid a transfer saga involving Spanish giants Real Madrid.
But despite all the pressure that is happening both on and off the field, Mbappe continues to produce products.
“His game is so incredible, but the way he lifts the team has made the biggest psychological impression on me,” Domi told CNN.
“We know his qualities with his feet, but mentally he remains in this zone, as a leader, always crucial to the team. It’s impressive.
“Of course he has talent, but he also has talent in his head. He controls his nerves and that’s part of the game.
“It’s incredible, he doesn’t feel pressure. He was gifted.”
While Mbappe probably has over a decade left to play at the highest level, Qatar 2022 also marks the end of what is arguably the greatest rivalry in football history – this is the last time we’ll see Ronaldo and Messi play in the World Cup .
But as this chapter draws to a close, Mbappé has a chance to be in the spotlight.
“He [Mbappé] will be the legacy of Messi and Ronaldo, he may already be the best player in the world,” added Domi.
“He doesn’t have the Messi vision, but at his best, Mbappe is the best player in the world. He can change the situation at any moment.”
Mbappé scored five goals in Qatar, becoming Messi’s top scorer, bringing his World Cup total to nine in just two tournaments.
Just Fontaine is the only Frenchman to score more goals in World Cups – in 1958 he scored all 13 goals.
More importantly, Mbappe is on the verge of winning his second World Cup in a row, which Mavuba says will make him potentially the greatest French player ever.
“If he had won a second World Cup, he would probably have been the best French player,” Mavuba said.
“I love [Zinedine] Zidane, but imagine, 23 years old, two World Cups, he would be the best.”
The best photos of the 2022 World Cup.
Zidane was part of the team that won the World Cup in 1998 and the midfield maestro won the Ballon d’Or the same year.
Mbappe is still waiting for his first Ballon d’Or, but Mavuba insists achieving national team glory is more important than any individual award.
“It is very difficult to win the World Cup, you see Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar. [not win one]but Mbappe has a chance to win two World Cups,” he said.
“It’s better to win two world championships than five or seven golden balls.”
With Messi’s Argentina being the only obstacle in his path, Mbappe has a golden opportunity to claim the title of the best player in the world.
In truth, he has a long way to go before he can match the legacy of Ronaldo and Messi, but already at such a young age, he has done what other superstars have not yet been able to do.