Mbappe: Flattering to be mentioned alongside Pele

What you need to know:

  • Pele remains the youngest player to have scored at least twice in a World Cup match, the Brazil icon hitting a double against Sweden in the 1958 final at the age of 17.

Kylian Mbappe admitted it was "flattering" to be mentioned in the same breath as Pele after his historic brace against Argentina - but insists he has a long way to go to match the legendary Brazilian.

The France star struck twice in a thrilling 4-3 last-16 defeat of Argentina to send Les Bleus into the quarter-finals, becoming the first teenager to score more than once in a World Cup game since Pele in 1958.

Pele remains the youngest player to have scored at least twice in a World Cup match, the Brazil icon hitting a double against Sweden in the 1958 final at the age of 17.

With the game poised at 2-2, Mbappe took centre stage midway through the second half, scoring a quick-fire brace to put the game beyond the South Americans, who scored a late consolation through Sergio Aguero.

Mbappe felt he needed to deliver a memorable performance in the World Cup to be considered amongst the world's best players, but was quick to dampen comparisons to Pele.

"I'm very happy, it's flattering to be the second after Pele, but let's put it into context, he's another category," he said.
"But it's good to be among these people, scoring in knockout matches.

"I've already and always said in the World Cup you have all of the top players so it's an opportunity to show what you can do and your abilities.

"There's no better place than the World Cup."