Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann says that Kylian Mbappe is the fastest player in the world and a future Ballon d’Or winner following his performance in France‘s 4-3 victory against Argentina in the last 16 of the World Cup.
Mbappe set the tournament alight on Saturday as he contributed to three of France’s goals including bagging a brace for himself.
The 19-year-old Frenchman, who had a tepid start to the tournament in the group stages, came alive in the last-16 when he flew past Argentina’s defence in a 72-yard dash from just outside his own penalty area. Marcos Rojo was left with no choice but to bring the flying Frenchman down in the area as he advanced on Argentina’s goal.
A penalty was the result, which Antoine Griezmann dutifully converted moments later. Argentina equalised before the break with Angel Di Maria’s excellent curling effort from outside France’s box, and the South Americans went ahead just after the break.
France were not on the back foot for too long, however, as Benjamin Pavard’s wonderful half volley from 18 yards out levelled the score at 2-2.
After that it was the Mbappe show. The youngster fired his nation ahead before putting the final nail in Argentina’s coffin minutes later, and the 19-year-old could have had several more goals if not for his misguided selflessness at times.
Mbappe’s performance wowed audiences around the world and it has convinced many pundits that he’ll overthrow Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the world’s best player one day.
Hamann is one pundit who holds this view, and the former Red has tipped him to win the Ballon d’Or in the future, as he heaped praise on the youngster in a discussion on RTE.
“He’s got pace to burn,” Hamann said. “There’s probably no quicker player in world football at the moment and he’s got a quick mind as well.
“The sharpness in his head, how quickly he sees a situation, sees the picture, knows exactly what to do and that instinct.
“When you go through the last 20-30 years the sharpest players have been the slow ones, because they had to find a way to get round the pitch whether it’s forwards or centre-midfielders.
“For him to have the pace he’s got and to have the sharp mind I think that sets him apart from everyone else.”
Hamann added that without much competition for Mbappe in the highest echelon of current elite players, the France international will inevitably rise to the top.
He added: “He’s a superstar, he’s only 19, if he keeps his feet on the ground – I’m not saying he’s ruling European and world football for the next ten years – he has the potential to pick up Ballon d’Ors up as frequently as Messi and Ronaldo have.
“At the moment there’s is not much out there when it comes to the top bracket apart from Neymar. And to do this at 19-years-old where a lot of the hopes of the country rest on your shoulders, to score two goals, to get a penalty – brilliant.”
Mbappe and France will take on Uruguay in the quarter-finals on 6 July.
The post Future Ballon d’Or winner Kylian Mbappe is the fastest player in world football – Dietmar Hamann appeared first on Squawka News.
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