Jose Mourinho has said that Kylian Mbappe is better and more expensive than Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar because he is much younger than the trio. Mourinho believes the France World Cup winner is already an incredible player despite his very young age.
“For a player like Mbappe, when you speak about the future, you don’t need to say what he’s going to be like in five years’ time, in 10 years’ time,” Mourinho told beIN Sports.
“Just focus on now. He’s absolutely incredible. I think going by his age and [and considering] the age of Cristiano, of Messi, [both] over 30, Neymar is 27… when you go to the market level and age is also a factor, I think he’s the most valuable player in the world.
“In a hypothetical transfer, he’s the most expensive player in football now. In terms of his qualities, [he is] unbelievable. One word is enough. It means everything.”
The 20-year-old has been in superb form for French side Paris Germain this season having scored a massive 26 goals in 23 Ligue 1 games. He has also provided six assists.
He scored four UEFA Champions League goal before his PSG side were knocked out by Manchester United in heartbreaking circumstances. Mbappe said after the exit that he had trouble sleeping.
Mbappe was remarkable during the last FIFA World Cup in Russia, scoring four goals, including one in the final as France won the competition for the second time. The former Monaco man is currently with the France national side as they prepare for the UEFA Euro qualifier against Moldova and Iceland.
France coach Didier Deschamps has also spoken of Mbappe’s impressive attitude when faced with challenges.
“He has such abilities that he may face some tough challenges on the pitch. He’s ready to deal with that kind of thing,” Deschamps said.
“I cannot say that he had disproportionate reactions so far. He reacts because it’s never pleasant. He deals well with those situations though. He’s used to it. It’s something he has experienced since the beginning of his career and he will be subjected to this his entire career because of what he’s able to do on the pitch.”