Jean-Pierre Papin is one of the greatest French forwards of all time.
Despite being about 15 years old, Kylian Mbappe is too.
But who was/is better?
Well, that’s what we’re here to find out:
1. Goalscoring
Kylian Mbappe goalscoring record in recent seasons has been astonishing – he’s already PSG’s second highest scorer of all time.
And, judging by his clear improvements in front of goal in the last 12 months, he actually looks like he’s set to get better and better at scoring goals in the coming years too.
Despite this, we have to give the nod to Papin in this category. The diminutive forward’s record in France speaks for itself:
– Four consecutive 30+ goal seasons.
– Five consecutive Ligue 1 top scorer awards.
– Oh and this goal against Belgium in 1992.
A rare combination of a great goalscorer & a scorer of great goals.
Winner: Jean-Pierre Papin
2. Athleticism
When your athleticism is being compared to pre-knee injury R9 Ronaldo’s, you know that you’re a pretty special athlete.
And that’s exactly what Mbappe is.
The PSG man has the most terrifying turn of pace in world football. For that reason, there’s only one winner here.
Winner: Kylian Mbappe
3. Clutch
Papin was the difference maker for a Marseille team that won four Ligue 1 titles and made a European Cup final…but Mbappe has scored in a World Cup final so he obviously wins this category.
The young forward has actually scored more World Cup knockout round goals than Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi combined, despite playing in only one tournament thus far.
He is outrageously clutch.
Winner: Kylian Mbappe
4. Impact at club
Papin is quite simply the greatest, and most beloved, player in Marseille’s history.
The forward almost single-handedly sparked a golden era for the club both in France and on the continent, and that fact certainly hasn’t been forgotten by Marseille fans.
Mbappe may very well be the greatest player that will ever play for PSG, but judging by his willingness to leave the club this summer it’s hard to imagine that he’ll ever by the most beloved.
Winner: Jean-Pierre Papin
Source: 90min.com
