Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappé aimed a dig at Argentina ahead of the upcoming World Cup finals by minimising their efforts in the qualifying campaign. The France international believes that South American football lags behind Europe in terms of quality and intensity.
“Argentina haven’t played games of great quality to reach the World Cup,” Mbappé told TNT Sports Brasil. “In South America football isn’t as advanced as Europe. That’s why if you look at the last World Cups it’s always the Europeans that win.“
Mbappé clearly believes that European nations have the upper hand over their South American counterparts in the keenly-awaited tournament in Qatar. France will be out to defend the crown from 2018, with the PSG talisman expected to lead the line alongside Real Madrid stalwart Karim Benzema.
However, Argentina, who finished runners-up to Brazil in the CONMEBOL qualifying zone without a single defeat from 17 matches (W11, D6), will be looking to spoil the party. Lionel Scaloni boasts some of the world’s finest talents on his star-studded roster as La Albiceleste seek their first World Cup trophy since the glory days of Diego Maradona.
Inter goal-getter Lautaro Martinez will likely partner PSG star Lionel Messi up top when Argentina kick off their World Cup campaign against Saudi Arabia on November 22. But before flying to Qatar, Scaloni’s men will meet arch-rivals Brazil in September for a rescheduled World Cup qualifier, looking to maintain their unbeaten qualifying run.
Martinez, who enjoyed another scintillating Serie A campaign with Inter, took issue with Mbappé’s comments. The coveted striker is of the opinion that his PSG counterpart was wide of the mark in his assessment of South American football.
“Most of those of us who have been called up are in Europe and every day, even every training, you measure up against them,” he replied to Mbappé’s statement.
“That’s why I’ll say that we’re feeling good and working on the ideas the trainer asks of us. We are happy with how it’s working and what we’re doing on the field.
“I saw what [Mbappé] said, but Argentina and Brazil have players of great quality and talent. Brazil, just like us, has most of its players in Europe. I thought it was an unfair comment.“