Kylian Mbappe tells Rio Ferdinand he wants to become a ‘complete player’ like inspirations Thierry Henry and Brazilian Ronaldo… but PSG star admits it will be ‘difficult’ to emulate duo as he prepares for Real Madrid showdown
- Kylian Mbappe scored the only goal in the last-16 first leg against Real Madrid
- He is now gearing up for PSG’s second leg in the Champions League in Spain
- Rio Ferdinand spoke to the France international for ‘Between the Lines’ episode
- He insists strikers Thierry Henry and Ronaldo are inspirations for his movement
Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe has revealed he wants to emulate the likes of Thierry Henry and Ronaldo and develop into the ‘complete’ forward in the coming years.
The 23-year-old is gearing up for a crucial night at the Santiago Bernabeu this evening, with the French giants holding a 1-0 lead against Real Madrid ahead of their Champions League last-16 second leg.
Mbappe scored the only goal at the Parc des Princes last month to ensure PSG took an advantage to the Spanish capital in a brilliant display by the France international.
Kylian Mbappe (C) has told Rio Ferdinand (L) he wants to emulate Thierry Henry and Ronaldo
Ex-Arsenal star Henry (R) and former Real Madrid forward Ronaldo (L) were prolific in their day
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand joined up with Mbappe and PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino for the latest episode of ‘Between the Lines’, in which he is seen discussing a clip of Mbappe creating space by pulling Eder Militao out of position.
And when asked by the BT Sport pundit who his inspirations were for the type of movement in behind he regularly shows as well as his style of play, Mbappe named the ex-Arsenal and Real Madrid forwards.
‘As a Frenchman, you can say Thierry Henry,’ he said. ‘[That’s] normal. But Ronaldo Nazario too.
‘This type of player who plays with the ball, [who] is connected with the game, but can also play without the ball and create some movement without it.
Mbappe scored the only goal as PSG beat Real Madrid in Champions League last-16 first leg tie
‘This is the type of complete player I want to be, so I work every day to be as good as them, but it is difficult.’
Henry netted 360 goals in senior club football and was the most prolific French player before Karim Benzema surpassed that tally in November.
Brazilian Ronaldo meanwhile scored 414 goals in 616 appearances for club and country throughout his professional career.
But when asked where he sees his best position and whether it was in the central positions Henry and Ronaldo thrived in, Mbappe added: ‘The most important thing is to be connected with the game, with my team.
Striker Mbappe added he does not have a preferred position as he sees that as just ‘detail’
‘The coach gives me a freedom on the pitch. I start in a position but I can move.
‘The most important thing is not the position, it is the animation. How you are connected with your team offensively and defensively, ready to help, to move and to be dangerous. That is the key for me.
‘Not the position. The position is just the detail for me. That is the most important thing when I come on the pitch is to be connected with myself and the team, with the opponent too because we have to see where we can go and where we cannot.’
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