PSG
Kylian Mbappé has Edinson Cavani’s PSG record in sight
The PSG forward could equal Cavani’s goal tally record if he scores twice against Marseille on Sunday.
One of the reasons Kylian Mbappé stayed at PSG was to become the best player in the club’s history. Just as his move to Real Madrid looked to be going through, the forward said Edinson Cavani’s 200-goal record was “not to be ignored” and could be matched if he continued for another year in the French capital.
After his brace against Lille in Ligue 1 on Sunday, Mbappé got closer to the Uruguayan’s all-time record. Cavani scored 200 goals in 301 matches at a ratio of 0.66 goals per game. Mbappé now has 198 goals in 245 games, which is well above his former team-mate and brings his ratio to 0.81.
PSG face Marseille in Le Classique on Sunday, a game that could decide Ligue 1 or turn it upside down, with a win for Marseille putting them just two points behind their arch-rivals. If Mbappé scores a brace, he will match Cavani’s record.
In the Coupe de France match at the beginning of February, also at the Vélodrome, the PSG star was unable to play after suffering an adductor injury and his side bowed out of the competition with a 2-1 defeat.
Neymar out for PSG
Against Marseille, Mbappé's presence will be crucial for head coach Christophe Galtier, who will be without Neymar after the Brazil international sprained his ankle on Sunday and could miss the second leg of the last-16 tie against Bayern at the Allianz Arena on 8 March.
The France international was a substitute against Bayern having not fully recovered from his injury, but his second-half introduction changed the game in PSG’s favour. Cavani’s record is about to be broken.