He can run fast, he can dribble, he can score, this is why it’s very difficult to catch him,” he said. “For sure, he’s got a lot of speed but I think the best skill is he can do a lot of things. The deal was reported to be worth $214 million but Mbappé seemed to take it all in his stride.ĭespite all the trophies he’s won and goals he’s scored, Mavuba says the forward is only now coming into his prime. His spell at Monaco, where he won his first league title, caught the world’s attention and the teenage sensation moved to PSG in 2017, initially on loan for the first year. Mbappé was born and raised in Bondy, a suburb of Paris 11 kilometers from the city center and, aside from a two-year spell playing for Monaco, has lived in the French capital his entire life. He’s watched from afar as a young Mbappé has matured quickly into France’s most important player and says the attacker’s pace and finishing prowess makes him “unstoppable” at times. Mavuba made 13 appearances for France and was included in Didier Deschamps’ squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Messi and Mbappé both play for French club Paris-Saint Germain. “When he’s focused, he’s probably the best player in the world.” “Messi is still one of the greatest, maybe the best player of all time, but, at this point, Mbappé can eat at the same table as Messi. “In this World Cup, it’s been the transfer of power from Messi to Mbappé,” he told CNN, ahead of the pair’s showdown in the World Cup final on Sunday. And let’s not forget players such as Erling Haaland, who failed to qualify for the tournament with Norway, but who promises to challenge Mbappé for accolades.īut, with this being Messi’s final World Cup, former France international and current Bordeaux coach Rio Mavuba says this tournament has seen the baton of greatness passed onto Mbappé. While an aging Cristiano Ronaldo can no longer stake a claim, Mbappé’s Paris Saint-Germain teammate Lionel Messi – who has won seven Ballon d’Or awards – has produced some mesmeric performances for Argentina in Qatar. It’s a title that doesn’t come without dispute, though. He’s already claimed five domestic titles in France, scored 250 career goals and, four years ago, lifted the World Cup trophy.ĭespite already proving he belongs among the elite, Mbappé has continued to improve season upon season and this year’s World Cup arguably feels like the moment he steps out alone as the best player in the world. At just 23, Kylian Mbappé has won more in his short career than most players are ever able to achieve.

Class of '98 by A.L. Player