'Always thinking about himself' - Kylian Mbappe compared to Cristiano Ronaldo in scathing assessment as Real Madrid told France star 'looks very uncomfortable' alongside Vinicius Jr

World Cup winner Mbappe became another ‘Galactico’ at Santiago Bernabeu in the summer of 2024. A move to Spain from Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-German saw him follow in the footsteps of Real’s all-time leading goalscorer Ronaldo.

Mbappe has inherited the No.9 shirt that CR7 once wore in Madrid, while also being moved into a central striking berth. His reputation as one of the most fearsome forwards on the planet was, however, forged while operating on the left flank for club and country.

Former Ligue 1 rival Jorge Sampaoli, who has spent time in France coaching at Marseille and Rennes, has told SPORT of why Mbappe cannot be likened to Argentine GOAT Lionel Messi: “We were talking about Lamine [Yamal], who can be compared to Messi because he has individualism and also a connection with otherness.

“Mbappe struggles a little more. I compare him more to Cristiano, a player who is always thinking about himself and the goal. And in Paris, he was decisive on the left, as a winger in the number 9.”

Sampaoli added on why Mbappe has found the going tough at times, with a Brazilian colleague in Madrid filling his favoured attacking role: “Vinicius is at Madrid. He [Mbappe] really looks very uncomfortable, very withdrawn. He doesn't know how to attack in that position. In any case, he has scored important goals. But he is not the player I saw in France or at the World Cup in Qatar either.”

Mbappe has hit 36 goals for Real through 52 appearances in all competitions. He has savoured UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup triumphs, but has missed out on Champions League and Copa del Rey honours while Barcelona continue to lead the Liga title race in 2024-25.