‘Mbappe sits alongside Messi and Ronaldo’ – Pauleta left ‘starstruck’ by PSG forward

Kylian Mbappe sits alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the global game, claims former Paris Saint-Germain forward Pauleta, with the French forward boasting the ability to leave audiences “starstruck”.

At just 21 years of age, an exciting talent already has four Ligue 1 titles and a World Cup triumph to his name.

Mbappe is now out to add a Champions League crown to his collection, with PSG set to face German giants Bayern Munich in a European showpiece on Sunday.

Pauleta is looking forward to seeing a modern day superstar in action, with there the potential for plenty of fireworks to be delivered on the field in Lisbon.

Mbappe will be hoping to make a telling contribution on the grandest of stages, with another opportunity presented to the youngster in his ongoing efforts to prove that he deserves a standing at the very top of the world game.

Pauleta already has the France international sat among the elite, saying of Mbappe: “[He] is hugely skilled technically, he’s incredibly fast, physically he’s amazing.

“He’s a player that everybody admires, like [Zinedine] Zidane, we all loved him, like Messi, like Cristiano. He’s among these kind of players.

“You watch his games on TV to see what he’s going to do. You know that he’s going to do something that will leave you starstruck.

“I admire him a lot, he’s a humble person but I think he will have a tremendous career.”

Mbappe has hit 90 goals for PSG through his 123 appearances to date.

Pauleta recorded 109 across his five years in the French capital and is delighted to see a club that holds a special place in his heart competing for the most sought-after of prizes.

He is also proud to see his native Portugal playing host to the latter stages of a prestigious event, with Lisbon having been the home of continental competition since the quarter-final stage.

“It is very important for us in Portugal to have such an important competition like the Champions League,” said Pauleta.

“Especially during such tough times for everybody in the world because of the coronavirus.

“We’re a small country but because of the work of the football federation and its president we can have such an important tournament in Portugal and have the final on Sunday.

“It’s a tournament that’s completely different to usual, with eight big clubs playing for two weeks in Portugal in the Lisbon area, and it’s very important for the country and the Portuguese people.

“On top of that, having the final for me is very important, having the club that’s in my heart play, PSG, and I hope everything will end well for the Champions League and for PSG.”