LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp believes Kylian Mbappé has the quality and determination to become the highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history.
Klopp’s comments came after the France forward scored twice against Iraq to take his World Cup tally to 16 goals.
“Sixteen World Cup goals at his age is absolutely ridiculous,” Klopp said.
“We are talking about a competition where the pressure is at its highest, where entire nations are watching every touch, and yet Mbappé keeps delivering year after year.”
Klopp said it was not only the number of goals that impressed him but also the variety of finishes.
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“What impresses me most is not just the number of goals, but the variety of them. He can score with pace, technique, intelligence, power and pure instinct. Defenders know exactly what he wants to do and still struggle to stop him,” he said.
The German coach also highlighted how close Mbappé is to the World Cup scoring record.
“To be only one goal behind Messi’s record is incredible when you consider what Messi has meant to World Cup history. That alone tells you the level Mbappé has reached,” he said.
Klopp believes the Real Madrid forward is motivated to set new standards rather than simply break existing records.
“And the scary part? He looks hungry for more. Some players are satisfied when they break records. Mbappé looks like a player who wants to own them,” he said.
“If he continues like this, the question will not be whether he breaks the record. The question will be how far he pushes it. Right now, he is playing with confidence, freedom and the belief that every time he steps onto the pitch, he can change history.”
Klopp described the current era as a transition between generations of football greats.
“Football is witnessing the passing of one great World Cup generation to another. Messi set the standard, but Mbappé is coming, and he is coming very fast,” he said.
Mbappé’s latest brace moved him to 16 World Cup goals, leaving him one behind the tournament’s all-time scoring record.
