KYLIAN MBAPPE has been told to quit PSG for England or Spain – to rival Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the world’s best player.
Brazil and Barcelona legend Rivaldo gave his shock verdict on the Manchester United target, for whom PSG reportedly turned down 240million from Real Madrid.
French World Cup winner Mbappe, 20, bagged a hat-trick off the bench in Tuesday’s 5-0 Champions League defeat of Bruges, having eclipsed 198m world-record buy Neymar as PSG’s main man.
Yet ex-Milan playmaker Rivaldo, 47, says striker Mbappe has the talent but not yet the pedigree to step up to the top table
Despite Mbappe becoming the youngest ever player to reach 15 Champions League goals, Rivaldo said: “With all due respect to PSG, I believe he must leave for a Spanish or big English team in the future to confirm himself as the heir to Messi or Ronaldo.
“The best players need to play in the best leagues.
“Mbappe has come back from injury in great style for PSG… proving why he is one of the most wanted players in the planet.
‘TOUGH FOR BARCA’
“There’s no doubt Mbapp has the qualities to become one of the best in the world, as he is playing great football and has huge potential.
“He would be able to develop his talent by playing La Liga or the Premier League. Ligue 1 is clearly below the competitive level of Spain or England.”
Mbappe was understood to be one of Real boss Zinedine Zidane’s three main targets of the last transfer window.
Chelsea wizard Eden Hazard arrived for 105m, unsettled midfielder Paul Pogba stayed with Manchester United and Mbappe always looked the longest shot.
And Rivaldo believes his old club Barcelona would have even greater difficulties if they tried to sign Mbappe than in returning neymar to the Nou Camp.
Rivaldo said: “I think it would be tough for Barcelona to sign him in the future, as he is very expensive due to his young age, world champion status and natural ability that makes him one of the biggest prospects in the world of football.
If Barca had so many problems in trying to sign Neymar, just imagine how much PSG would be ask for the Frenchman.
“So it’s almost impossible to bring this excellent player to Catalonia at the moment.”
Rivaldo also claimed Neymar’s 108million belated replacement Antoine Griezmann will not be so effective in Barcelona’s famous front three.
He said: “Barca’s new attacking trio, of Messi, Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann (MSG), is giving some good signs and showing it can work in the future, but I don’t believe it will reach Messi, Suarez, Neymar (MSN) level.
“Neymar is a distinctive player who creates a lot of assists, scores many goals and takes control of the game when needed thanks to his personality.
“That’s something Griezmann doesn’t have yet, and even though he has scored goals already he hasn’t fully adapted to his new team’s style of play.
“It could be a while before we see him playing at the same level as we saw for many years at Atletico Madrid.
“He is not yet irreplaceable in the team and keeps being subbed before the end of matches.
“That doesn’t happen to Messi or Surez. Even when they are not playing well, they stay on the pitch thanks to their status and ability to make the difference at any time.”
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