Brazil legend Ronaldo believes Kylian Mbappe is ready to rule the world and become the best player on the planet.
And the former Real Madrid superstar also insisted England “should be proud” of their World Cup campaign in Qatar. Ronaldo spoke to Mirror Sport and spelt out exactly why France striker Mbappe reminds him of himself during his glorious playing days.
Mbappe now has the world at his feet as France are red-hot favourites to win the World Cup but it could also signal a changing of the guard as to who is regarded as the best player in the world.
Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo is already out, Argentina superstar Lionel Messi is desperate to crown his glittering career by winning the World Cup but Mbappe has a wonderful chance to win the trophy for a second consecutive time.
Ronaldo, one of the World Cup’s all-time greats after lifting the trophy with Brazil in 2002, said: “I can talk about how fast he is, how good he is and he reminded me of when I played. He knows how to use his ability, how to go faster than the other players and use that ability to assist or score.
“I think France is the favourite team now to win the World Cup. I said that before the World Cup starts and, for me, Mbappe is going to be the best player at this World Cup.”
But Ronaldo was quick to claim that England were unlucky to lose against France in the quarter final - but he insists they should not be ashamed. In fact, Ronaldo even compared England’s exit to Brazil who were knocked out by Croatia on penalties.
Ronaldo said: “Don’t forget… England played very good football against France. I think the same happened to them as with Brazil. I think England played very good but, at the end, it was down to small details and they change the whole results of the match. But the English people should be proud of the World Cup they played and how they played in it.”
Ronaldo speaks perfect English, Spanish and he also insisted in Italian that the World Cup in Qatar had been bellissimo - beautiful - and the organisation had been “impeccable.”
But it also ended in heartbreak for Brazil star Neymar who has threatened to quit the national team after the huge disappointment of losing to Croatia on penalties. However, Ronaldo has no doubt that Neymar will change his mind - and could even play at the next World Cup.
Ronaldo added: “I think Neymar is very upset with the result of the World Cup for the Brazil national team. It’s normal that he’s feeling that way for now.
“But I am also sure that he will come back stronger and continue to play with the national team, he’s still young, 31 years old, I think he can play the next World Cup.
“I am very happy that he showed a commitment for the last six months for the Brazil national team. He behaved himself, he took care of himself and he played a very good match, the first match, he got a very strong tackle on his ankle.
“But he made a huge sacrifice to play again with the national team. He played very good, the last match, I think he’s very important for us and so I hope that he gets well soon and back stronger with the football world with PSG and the Brazil national team.”
