Dani Alves is adamant Kylian Mbappe still has work to do if he is to reach the same level as Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Neymar, but he has little doubt the 19-year-old has a bright future ahead of him.
Mbappe is widely regarded as one of the most exciting young players around in the game and is still in the running to win the Ballon d'Or after a hugely successful 2018 in which he won Ligue 1, Coupe de la Ligue and Coupe de France with PSG, as well as playing a key role in France's successful World Cup run.
The attacker ended the tournament in Russia with four goals from seven games, including a double in the 4-3 round-of-16 win over Argentina and his side's fourth in the 4-2 win over Croatia in the final.
He's started the 2018-19 in equally fine form to further boost his reputation and some have argued that it is inevitable he will deplace Neymar as the main man at the Parc des Princes.
However, Dani Alves believes that moment is not there just yet as he feels his compatriot is a few steps further in his development.
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"I believe Neymar and Mbappe have different profiles," the experienced Brazilian told Goal when asked whether he is taking Mbappe under his wing like he previously did with Neymar at Barcelona.
"Mbappe will become one of the historical players in football, but I believe Neymar has already reached that level. Mbappe is still in the process of getting there.
"But I think that if Mbappe is clever, which he is, he will not waste the opportunity to learn from Neymar.
"I say that because Neymar learned a lot from [Lionel] Messi. It is a chain of learning, a sequence."
That being said, Alves is adamant he will be there for Mbappe whenever the gifted youngster needs him as he looks to help him on a personal level as much as on the pitch.
"I am the kind of guy who wants to be there for him when nobody else is. I am always there for him," the wing-back added.
"I do not just want to be there for people when they are doing well. I would like to be important for him when he is not doing well. I believe I have this character trait and will be able to help him, to make rational decisions and to make him a better person.
"It is hard to improve someone as a player, but is easier to help someone become a better person."
