Barcelona striker Antoine Griezmann believes that his compatriot Kylian Mbappe, the Paris Saint-Germain striker, has the potential to reach the level of game greats such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, after the 22-year-old scored 3 goals in the 4-1 victory over Barcelona in the Champions League yesterday. Tuesday, while Mbappe believes they have not yet reached the summit.
After the youngster helped lead France to the 2018 World Cup title, Mbappe stole the spotlight again in his debut at Camp Nou, and after Messi made a goal, the French striker tied and then added two goals after the break.
European Champions League
Mbambi returns the summit to the starting point # Barcelona_Baris_San_Germain #beINUCL #UCL pic.twitter.com/AhQt40U3W0
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He also became the first visiting player to score 3 goals at Barcelona in the Champions League since Dynamo Kiev striker Andrei Shevchenko did it in November 1997, more than a year before Mbappe's birth.
"Kylian had a great night. Paris Saint-Germain has a star for the future, and he will be on the same level as Messi and Cristiano," said Mbappe's teammate, Griezmann.
🥇 Hat-trick hero Kylian Mbappé takes the prize after THAT devastating display in Barcelona ⚽️⚽️⚽️ # UCLPOTM |
#UCL pic.twitter.com/ngFqYSgvTu
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Saint Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino also praised Mbappe, who helped the Argentine man achieve only his second victory over Barcelona, after spending years as a player and then coach of his rival and neighbor Espanyol.
"It is clear that Kylian is a great footballer," Pochettino said after winning the first leg of the round of 16.
He added, "He has proven that by scoring 3 goals, but he also showed his full commitment after participating in the defensive role as well. Besides creativity in scoring goals, he made a huge effort with the team when Barcelona pressed."
The St Germain coach added that Mbappe’s prediction for him has come true. “He asked me during the last training how many times I won at Camp Nou, and I said once with Espanyol, and he assured me that I will win for the second time; he is a high-class player.”
Current St Germain goalkeeper Keylor Navas also praised his teammate Mbappe's individual potential.
The former Real Madrid goalkeeper said, "Mbappe played very well, and he always thinks about the team's interest, and he never thinks about showing himself."
He added, "He does not need to show himself to anyone, and the whole world already knows him, and we are very happy with him. When we see him play and perform in this way, we feel that we have an advantage."
#Champions League
Arsene Wenger talks about the collapse of Barcelona, and the situation of Mbappe and Neymar with the Parisian team, and answers the following axes
👈 Messi or Mbappe
Rebuild Barcelona
Who remains among the current players #beINUCL pic.twitter.com/yzDXXymPuI
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While Mbappe said, "It is a matter of continuity ... the coach has done a great job since taking over the team, but he continued the work of coach Thomas Tuchel, who had already started an exceptional work with the team."
Argentine Mauricio Pochettino took over the position of coach of Saint-Germain a few weeks ago, succeeding German Thomas Tuchel, who led the team to the Champions League final last season.
"We have not yet reached the top of our level, despite the great level we presented in the Barcelona match, but we will continue to develop our level," Mbappe said.
This is the first victory for any French team against Barcelona at their home at Camp Nou in Barcelona throughout the history of the Champions League.
How it started… 😁
𝙃𝙪𝙜𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙨 @KMbappe 👏 #UCL pic.twitter.com/in3JSb48a8
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