Kylian Mbappe will be the new Messi, says Samuel Eto’o

Share

Tweet

Share

Share

Email

Comments

Ex-Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o believes that Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe will follow in the footsteps of former teammate Lionel Messi. 

Mbappe has had a highly successful first season in Paris since his loan move – with a clause pre-agreed to make the move permanent this summer – securing the Ligue 1 title before the season is out.

The French forward also has a World Cup campaign in Russia this summer to allow him to continue to impress those who believe he will realise his world-class potential. Join the Champions.

Someone who believes that Mbappe will go on to become one of the all-time greats is former Barcelona and Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o, who has likened Mbappe’s potential career path to his old Barcelona teammate and football legend Lionel Messi.

“He’s the future Messi if he manages his status, if he understands what is happening around his name,” said Eto’o, speaking to France Football.

“There are so many things to take into account to make a great career, which have nothing to do with the qualities of a footballer, especially for someone extraordinary.

“I hope I have the chance to talk to him one day.”

Offering Mbappe such high praise allowed Eto’o to touch on what makes Messi so unique and how the PSG star can learn from Messi’s talents.

“Kylian can draw inspiration from the superhuman mental strength of Leo Messi, whom I saw growing up in Barca.

“He continues to make matches easy by creating things every second.

“He is unique but remained this little kid that I discovered in 2004, respectful, discreet. Others would have gone crazy in the face of being a worldwide star.”

The next Messi

Repeating Messi’s achievements and matching his skill is likely to be impossible, but the early signs suggest Mbappe is well on the way to becoming one of the best of his generation.

Recently scoring his 50th senior goal for club and country the French prodigy reached the milestone at a younger age than Barcelona’s No.10, despite needing more games to do so.

Messi and Mbappe are also the only 18-year-olds to be named European Golden Boy.

The then Monaco forward was 18 years, 10 months and three days old when he picked up the award in December 2017, whilst Messi was roughly five months his junior in 2003.

He may not be the next Messi, but it is easy to see why Eto’o is so keen to meet football’s brightest young talent.