Deschamps believes Mbappe makes French team stronger like Ronaldo and Messi do for Portugal and Argentina, respectively

Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo (from left), Kylian Mbappe and Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi. — AFP/Instagram/File

With Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi dominating the football pitch, French national team manager Didier Deschamps believes his countryman Kylian Mbappe is at par with the Portuguese and Argentine forwards when it comes to sheer skill and talent on the ground.

Deschamps puts Mbappe in the “same talent bracket” as that of Ronaldo and Messi stressing the the French striker’s importance as a player for France, reported goal.com.

Mbappe, 24, is considered by many as one of the most talented football players of the modern era who currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain and is the club’s all-time leading scorer with 230 goals in 279 matches.

The French striker has come a long way since his senior breakthrough at Monaco managing to win the 2018 World Cup — and coming close to winning a second one after scoring a hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final against Argentina.

Speaking to Le Parisien, Deschamps underscored that Mbappe holds the same significance for the French national team as Ronaldo and Messi do for Portugal and Argentina, respectively.

He also stressed that Mbappe’s presence makes the French team stronger.

“These extraordinary players make their team sublime. It’s been like that for as long as soccer has existed. After that, Mbappe is part of a collective and knows full well that he needs the others,” he said.

Currently, Mbappe is ranked as the third-highest scorer for France with 46 goals in 75 appearances.