Rangers and Scotland legend Ally McCoist has his doubts over whether Kylian Mbappe can reach Lionel Messi's level.
In his second meeting with Messi, the 22-year-old outshone the six-time Ballon d'Or winner with a phenomenal hat-trick performance in Tuesday's Champions League round of 16 first leg thrashing of Barcelona.
Mbappe, who also scored twice as France beat Messi's Argentina in a World Cup knockout fixture, has been tipped as the player can fill the void Messi will leave.
He has already scored over 150 career goals and won multiple league titles and the World Cup at such a young age, but McCoist does not think he can match Messi's glittering career.
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"I'm not sure he will," McCoist said on talkSPORT when commented on Antoine Griezmann's claims that Mbappe will be on par with Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
"I do not think for a minute Mbappe can do things with a ball that Messi can do. Messi's one of the greatest players that's ever lived on this earth.
"Mbappe's an excellent young player that will go on to be fantastic, there's a difference. If somebody's going to tell me Mbappe is going to outshine Messi as a football player, I would be staggered if that's the case.
He'll go on to have a great career and he will be an absolutely top player. Are we writing Messi off!? This is annoying me! He's one of the best the planet has ever seen!"
Erling Haaland followed up Mbappe's three-goal haul a day prior with a brace and an assist as Borussia Dortmund beat Sevilla last night.
The pair have scored 28 Champions League goals between them since the start of last season, with Messi and Ronaldo managing 15.
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Plenty of fans believe a changing of the guard is imminent, particularly after Haaland said Mbappe's performance gave him "a free boost" to turn up the following night.
Speaking on BT Sport, Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand said: "How long have we been sitting him thinking, 'Who's gonna be next? Are we gonna get a rivalry?'
"This could be another rivalry that last for 10 years. For me that's the mouthwatering aspect."
Topics: Football News, Paris Saint-Germain, FC Barcelona, Football, PSG, Lionel Messi, Champions League, Kylian Mbappe
