Ronaldinho says Mbappé is “already the best in France”

Kylian Mbappé is already the best player in France and can continue to make history after signing his new contract with Paris Saint-Germain, says Ronaldinho.

Last week, Mbappé agreed a new three-year deal with the Ligue 1 champions, rejecting Real Madrid’s public advances in a huge transfer blow to the Champions League finalists. The World Cup-winning forward scored 39 goals and added 21 assists during a remarkable individual season with PSG, as Mauricio Pochettino’s team secured a record-equalling 10th league title. The 23-year-old is already the second-highest Ligue 1 goalscorer in PSG history, scoring 171 goals in 217 league outings for the Parisian giants – only Edinson Cavani (200 goals in 301 games) has more.

Former PSG star Ronaldinho, who scored 25 goals in two seasons with the club before departing for Barcelona in 2003, says Mbappé is already out-shining team-mates Lionel Messi and Neymar. However, he also insisted PSG would have been able to cope had the France star left for Madrid, highlighting the quality of his team-mates.

Mbappe right to stay at PSG - Ronaldinho

“Right now, of the future... he’s a player that could be part of history,” he told Mail Online. “He deserves all the respect he’s getting. He is making history and can continue to create happiness for us in this game. Today he is the best player for PSG. If he left to go anywhere else, it would only be to have the chance to be the best player in another country. He’s already the best in France. Paris Saint-Germain has some of the best players in the world right now – Messi, Neymar, Sergio Ramos. Some of the best players in the world are in this team. So, if one of the best players in the world leaves, other top players will continue in their place.”

Meanwhile, Ronaldinho’s former Barcelona team-mate Messi endured a mixed first season in France, recording 11 goals and 14 assists in all competitions but being jeered by his own fans in the aftermath of March’s Champions League defeat to Madrid. However, Ronaldinho insists the Argentine is happy in Paris, highlighting his 2021 Ballon d’Or win as evidence of his continued quality. The former Camp Nou star also insists Barcelona will recover from Messi’s departure and return to the top of the game under Xavi’s management, backing the Blaugrana boss to create another “beautiful” team.

‘If my friend is happy, it’s the right decision, and I believe he is very happy,” Ronaldinho said of Messi. “He is going through a period of adapting, but he’s already been voted the best player in the world. People said they were surprised when I left Barcelona and when Messi left. But Barcelona continues to be Barcelona. Things change in football, naturally. Now the club’s hierarchy needs to bring in new players with talent to continue being successful. They already have a great coach who has a foundation in the history of the club. So, the club can begin it’s rebuild with this manager to create a beautiful team. They need to now give the manager the opportunity to build a great team. It won’t be easy. They need a bit more time to build a side that is based around the best players. But I think players are happy to be playing for one of the best teams in the world.”