Arsene Wenger sees similarities between Kylian Mbappe and Pele amid reports linking the Paris Saint-Germain superstar with Liverpool, speaking to Le Parisien.
You can count on one hand the amount of fresh-faced teenagers who have fired their nation to global domination.
But, as France defeated Croatia in the 2018 World Cup final, a 19-year-old Mbappe replicated the remarkable achievements of Pele in the grainy, black-and-white days of 1958.
However, as Wenger is keen to point out, the similarities between Mbappe and arguably the greatest footballer of all time go beyond their enviable medal collections.
Like a peak-era Pele, PSG’s £174 million talisman boasts that fearsome blend of breakneck pace, ice-cool finishing and tendency to star on the biggest of stages.
“Mbappe will be one of the best in the world. Will there be several Ballons D’Or? It is something I wish for. He must not impose limits (on himself),” legendary Arsenal manager Wenger says of his fellow Frenchman.
“I have said in the past there are similarities between Mbappe and Pele. Pele played in four World Cups and won three. Mbappe is 22 years old, played in one and won one. The French team has everything to fight for the next World Cup.”
Despite claims suggesting Mbappe will sign a new contract worth a staggering £650,000 a week at the Parc des Princes, reports linking the former Monaco wonderkid with Liverpool are proving difficult to shake off.
According to ESPN, the Ligue 1 champion would, in fact, be tempted by the lure of Anfield.
And the prospect of Mbappe becoming the swaggering frontman of Jurgen Klopp’s heavy-metal band is one that will have Premier League defenders hiding behind the sofa like Victor Wanyama at a Paranormal Activity premiere.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
