‘Phenomenon’ Mbappe praised by Neymar after four goals in 13 minutes - best tweets
Is the PSG and France forward the world’s best footballer right now?
It’s already been quite a year for Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe and judging by his latest performance it promises to get even better.
After scoring four times for France in their Fifa World Cup triumph this summer in Russia the 19-year-old star has carried his international form into the club season at PSG.
The French champions are already eight points clear at the top of Ligue 1 and yesterday they beat Lyon 5-0. It was Mbappe who stole the headlines with four goals in only 13 minutes as Thomas Tuchel’s side ran riot at the Parc des Princes.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Mbappe scored on 61, 66, 69 and 74 minutes to become Ligue 1’s top scorer for the season and break a 45-year record for the youngest player to net four goals in France’s top-flight. PSG also broke an 82-year-old record with their ninth league win in the opening nine games.
Neymar: Mbappe’s a phenomenon
ESPN reports that Mbappe “played down” his four-goal performance against Lyon by saying it was an all-round team effort. He told Canal+: “We got the record and I will put my man-of-the-match award in my trophy cabinet. Records are great, but I want to insist of the team aspect - there will be other chances to speak about records.
“The team is the most important thing. We wanted to measure ourselves against a team like Lyon. They are a great team - they showed that in the Champions League and in big matches.”
However, Mbappe’s PSG teammate Neymar could not hide his admiration of the teenage sensation. Quoted by the Daily Mail, the Brazilian said: “For me he’s a phenomenon. I hope it will continue like that for several years because football will thank him.”
Ballon d’Or for Mbappe?
With a World Cup winner’s medal, two Ligue 1 titles and 67 goals in 135 career matches under his belt so far, the sky’s the limit for Mbappe.
Could he one day be named the best player in the world by winning the prestigious Ballon d’Or award? He said: “Why not? I don’t forbid anything. I will continue to progress, to play. If it comes, it comes and if it does not come, no problem.”
Mbappe’s four-goal salvo best tweets
How Twitter reacted to Mbappe’s man-of-the-match performance for PSG against Lyon.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - December 22, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - the long and short of it, trigger finger, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 hilariously spirited cartoons about the spirit of Christmas
Cartoons Artists take on excuses, pardons, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Inside the house of Assad
The Explainer Bashar al-Assad and his father, Hafez, ruled Syria for more than half a century but how did one family achieve and maintain power?
By The Week UK Published
-
The 'Swiss model' shaking up the Champions League
In the Spotlight Uefa says the new format offers 'greater excitement' but critics say boredom is guaranteed
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
‘Genuine visionary’: is Pep Guardiola the greatest of all time?
feature Spaniard has now won two trebles following Man City’s Champions League triumph
By The Week Staff Published
-
Champions League final: Man City vs. Inter predictions and preview
feature Can Guardiola’s team finally win the Champions League and complete a historic treble?
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
2022 World Cup final: Argentina vs. France prediction, preview, team news
feature Mbappé and Messi will go for glory, the golden boot, golden ball, and PSG bragging rights
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
‘Operation stop Mbappé’: how Kyle Walker can be England’s ‘secret weapon’ against France
feature Three Lions prepare to go head-to-head with the World Cup holders
By Mike Starling Published
-
Kylian Mbappé: world’s best football player ‘lights up’ the World Cup again
feature PSG star could make the difference in France’s quest to retain the trophy
By Mike Starling Published
-
Uefa Champions League 2022-2023 guide: group stage draw and key dates
feature Liverpool face Rangers while Man City’s Erling Haaland has a reunion with Dortmund
By Mike Starling Published
-
Uefa Champions League final: blame game begins for chaos in Paris
feature Liverpool call for an investigation as Uefa are accused of a ‘narrative of lies’
By Mike Starling Published