Andrew Omobamidele wants to burst back onto the scene with Ireland - and stop Kylian Mbappé in his tracks.
France speedster Mbappé is the world’s fastest player having been clocked running 10.6 metres-per-second.
But Omobamidele has covered 10.4 metres-per-seconds at Norwich City and would love the chance to mark the superstar.
Omobamidele, 20, made an incredible international breakthrough in 2021 only to miss all of Ireland’s games in 2022 because of injury.
But he is fit to face Latvia and France and - with Mbappé in mind - is an option on the right side of a back three against Les Blues on Monday.
“It’s the ultimate test,” he said of a potential duel with the Paris St Germain ace. “To see where you are as a player and as a team, the boys will be up for it.”
Omobamidele continued: “I’d be happy (to mark him). That’s the ultimate test for any defender in the world. I would embrace it.
“After the game you would be walking off knowing where you are as a player.
“He’s a good player, he’s quick, but I’d like to think I’m quick as well. I’d love to do a foot race or something like that, see how quick I am!
“We do it off metres-per-second and I think the quickest I’ve run is 10.4m-per-second, which is quick. I don’t know what Mbappe’s is, but we’ll see.”
Mbappé is in the running to be France’s new captain for the Euro 2024 campaign following Hugo Lloris’ decision to quit international football after the World Cup.
Mbappé and Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann are the clear front runners, with France boss Didier Deschamps due to make the announcement on Thursday.
France face the Netherlands on Friday in their opening Euro qualifier, before their clash with Ireland in Dublin on Monday.
Deschamps said yesterday: “I’ll use these first few days together to speak with the players concerned and Kylian will be a part of this discussion.
“Kylian is very skilled in his communication but I can’t tell you any more as I haven’t decided yet.”
But Deschamps has confirmed that AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan will succeed Lloris as France’s new first-choice goalkeeper.
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