It’s impossible not to have noticed Kylian Mbappe’s impact on football in recent seasons, all starting when he helped Monaco to an unlikely Ligue 1 title and the Champions League’s semi-finals.
Now, at just 21, those successes are three years in the past and he’s already showing signs of competing with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
But he needs to back his talent up with a European trophy, and the Frenchman, just like the Argentine and Portuguese, is aiming for the Champions League crown this season.
1. Mbappe has the most goals this season
The Paris Saint-Germain forward has 18 to his name this term, with nine assists stacked on top. Messi is next with 15 goals and nine assists, while Cristiano has 12 goals and just two assists.
2. He gets better every year
Mbappe is in an advantageous position as he’s only at the beginning of his career, whereas the two greats are on the decline. He grows with each passing season and he’s already PSG’s star.
3. A physical threat
Physically, Mbappe is a phenomenon and he beats both Messi and Cristiano. He’s quick, can change pace at a frightening speed, and even a slight advantage in his favour makes it impossible for defenders to recover.
4. A star on and off the pitch
His off-field persona is growing in Paris and he’s catching up with the game’s biggest names.
5. Missing the Champions League
It’s all he needs. He’s already won the World Cup with France and everything domestically with Monaco and PSG. Messi is still without an international trophy but has four Champions Leagues, while Cristiano has five Champions Leagues and a European Championship with Portugal.