Berlin: Brazilian Neymar da Silva is still the most expensive player in football history but the glamor of the samba star has started to hide behind the brightness of young Brazilian striker colleague Kylian Mbappe.
In the absence of Neymar due to injury, Mbappe scored three goals (hat trick) and led Paris Saint-Germain to a 4-1 win over Barcelona of 16) of the European Champions League in the first leg of the second round (round) on Tuesday night.
Barcelona striker Antoine Griezmann admitted that compatriot Mbappe could become the next legend in the world of football after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
In fact, Saint-Germain no longer has to rely entirely on Neymar as the Paris team can count on Mbappe a lot.
Mbappe recently faced a wave of criticism in France with the media criticizing the player’s performance and lack of scores in recent times, particularly in key games like the game where his side narrowly defeated Marseille 1/2 in the French Super Cup .
But yesterday’s game in Barcelona could be a turning point for him.
“Every player is criticized,” said Mbappe after the game. I have no problem with that. I don’t play to silence people, but I play because I like to play. “
“I always wanted to do my best for Paris Saint-Germain,” he said. “This club means a lot to me. I know I’ve played some bad games, but I didn’t even try to hide when I made some mistakes. “
In the absence of Neymar, who missed 46 games for the team in Brazil due to injuries sustained since joining Saint Germain in 2017, according to ESPN, Mbappe is the Paris side’s captain on the field.
This hat-trick in yesterday’s game made Mbappe the third-best goalscorer in Saint-Germain history with 111 goals against 200 goals from Edinson Cavani and 156 goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The player’s performance has sparked controversy over his ability to become one of the game’s greats, on par with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Mbappe’s team-mate Griezmann has no doubts and Griezmann said: “Kylian had a wonderful evening. Paris Saint-Germain has a big star for the future, he will be on the same level as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. “
Several reports say that Real Madrid want to include Mbappe, knowing that Real is where Ronaldo had the most successful periods of his football career and through which he strengthened his position among the most famous football stars in history.
But Mbappe, who has a contract with Saint-Germain until June 2022, said his focus is now on Paris Saint-Germain.
Mbappe said: “The Paris Saint Germain shirt touches my heart. I’ve always said that I’m happy here. After that signature I became happier. “
Former Real Madrid star Jorge Valdano believes Mbappe will be more removed from Real Madrid than ever after this game.
“Like Neymar, he can demand an annual salary of 30 million euros,” Valdano told the Spanish radio station Onda Serra. Only Paris Saint-Germain can pay this salary. “
(Dpa)
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