Mbappe shows he can be the next football great
Frenchman scores hat-trick in PSG’s 4-1 win over Barcelona
SEASONS change but the fact that Paris Saint-Germain are yet to fully be able to rely on Neymar doesn’t.
And now the most expensive player in football history is slowly getting overshadowed by team-mate Kylian Mbappe.
On Tuesday evening, the France forward led PSG with a hat-trick in a stunning 4-1 victory at Barcelona in the Champions League round of 16 first leg.
Mbappe has recently faced a wave of criticism in his home country.
His performances have received bad reviews from the media and the lack of goals in important games, such as the 2-1 win against Olympique Marseille in the French Super Cup, didn’t help his case.
But the Barcelona game could be a turning point for him.
“Every player is criticised, I don’t have problems with that. I don’t play to shut people up, but because I like to play,” Mbappe said after his gala evening.
“I’ve always wanted to give my best for PSG, it’s a club that means a lot to me. I’ve not always been successful and I know I’ve had bad games, but I never tried to hide myself, not even when I made mistakes,” he added.
In the absence of Neymar, who already missed 46 games due to injury or illness since joining PSG in 2017 according to ESPN Brasil, Mbappe has stepped up as the leading character on the pitch.
With his hat-trick against Barcelona he became PSG’s third best scorer in history with 111 goals, behind Edinson Cavani (200) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (156).
His performance also raised questions if he can become a football great on the same level of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Barcelona’s Antoine Griezmann and Mbappe’s teammate at France has no doubts.
“Kylian had a great evening. PSG have a big star for the future, which will be on the same level of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo,” Griezmann predicted.
Real Madrid, where Ronaldo enjoyed the most successful phase of his career and consolidated himself as one of the best players in the world, have reportedly been watching Mbappe for a while.
But the young striker, who has a contract with the French side until June 2022, assured his focus is on PSG right now.
“The (PSG) jersey touches my heart. Today my hard work is worth it.
I’ve always said I’m happy here. After this kind of battle, I’m even happier,” he said.
Former Real Madrid star Jorge Valdano believes that “after this game, Mbappe is further away than ever from Real Madrid.”
Liverpool win at Leipzig
Liverpool are also on course for the quarter-finals of the Champions League having won 2-0 away to RB Leipzig.
Liverpool slowly took control and had already threatened several times before Leipzig imploded with two horrific errors early in the second half.
Marcel Sabitzer’s pass inadvertently released Salah to finish well and when Dayot Upamecano - who confirmed
I’ve always wanted to give my best for PSG, it’s a club that means a lot to me. The (PSG) jersey touches my heart. Today my hard work is worth it.
Kylian
Mbappe
a move to Bayern this week - fluffed a 58th minute clearance, Mane showed no mercy.
“It was an important game for us, a tough game and we’re really happy overall,” Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson told BT Sport “From start to finish, defensively throughout the team we pressed really well and won the ball back. A good win but it’s only half the job done.”
Liverpool, riddled with defensive problems and injuries all season, are out of contention to retain their Premier League title but at least one more round in the Champions League looks likely.
“In the second half we actually had a super game but made two massive mistakes,” said Nagelsmann. “They are punished at this level.”