Steve McManaman warns Kylian Mbappe’s potential could DROP if he stays too long at PSG… but labels the France forward ‘the heir to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’
- Kylian Mbappe has only one year left on his PSG contract and is at a crossroads
- The star has Real Madrid hotly pursuing him, among a host of Europe’s top clubs
- Steve McManaman is concerned Mbappe’s career could suffer by staying in Paris
Kylian Mbappe‘s is on track to fulfil his potential as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo‘s heir, but Steve McManaman has warned the 22-year-old he could need to escape PSG.
Mbappe is already a World Cup winner, has reached 120 goals for the French champions and proves each week that a Ballon d’Or is almost certainly in his future.
However, with one year left on his contract in Paris, the next move is crucial. Re-sign with Mauricio Pochettino’s side, realise the Real Madrid dream, or seek a move to another of Europe’s elite?
Kylian Mbappe has a year left at PSG and has Europe’s elite clubs queueing-up to sign him
The 22-year-old is a safe bet to become a Ballon d’Or winner but is at a crucial crossroads
Ex-Real Madrid star Steve McManaman believes the Frenchman’s talent could suffer at PSG
‘I don’t know whether he can keep improving at PSG,’ former Madrid star McManaman said on BT Sport punditry duty.
‘I think he’s an incredible, incredible footballer. He’s the rightful heir to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s throne, which is going to happen now or next year.
‘His numbers are fantastic. I just don’t know whether he needs to leave and go to a more accomplished team, not just a team littered with a couple of stars but a really compact group of individuals to take him to the next level.
‘Maybe it’s a bit strange saying that, seeing what he’s achieved already.
Mbappe would be a monumental loss for PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino as he builds his team
He could find the prospect of Real Madrid and playing under Zinedine Zidane too attractive
‘But I feel if he went to a team like Bayern he could really excel and kick on again, and get to the numbers to usurp a Lionel Messi.’
Mbappe is on course to finish as Ligue 1’s top scorer for a third consecutive season, having already lifted 12 domestic trophies in his career.
Next is the Champions League, which slipped through the Frenchman’s fingers last season when Bayern Munich edged PSG in the final.
The Champions League and the Ballon d’Or will be key factors in his next career move, as the 22-year-old continues on his path to joining the greats.
