World Cup 2022: Rio Ferdinand Hails Mbappe’s Knockout Performance Better Than Messi

World Cup 2022: Rio Ferdinand Hails Mbappe’s Knockout Performance Better Than Messi

Chukwu Ikechukwu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:19 PM
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  • Rio Ferdinand said that Kylian Mbappe's performance in the round of 16 against Poland has been the most explosive so far at the World Cup
  • Mbappe struck twice as France beat Poland 3-1 in their last-16 clash to advance to the quarterfinal while Messi scored one in Argentina’s win against Australia
  • Mbappe has scored a total of 9 World Cup goals after already finding the net 5 times in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar

Rio Ferdinand says Kylian Mbappe’s performance against Poland was full of confidence and comparable to Lionel Messi's role at the centre of Argentina's 2-1 victory over Australia.

Mbappe netted twice for France as Didier Deschamps' team progressed to the quarterfinal of the 2022 FIFA World Cup after a 3-1 victory against Poland.

Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Rio Ferdinand, Qatar 2022, FIFA World Cup, France, Argentina
Kylian Mbappe is presently the top scorer at the 2022 FIFA World Cup with 5 goals for France. Photo by Elsa
Source: Getty Images

According to the Daily Mail, Ferdinand believes the 23-year-old forward is devastating in all areas and has had the most explosive performance so far at the World Cup.

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“Yesterday, I spoke about Messi as the best performance. Today [Mbappe] was the most explosive performance, devastating in all areas.”

Kylian Mbappe is currently the leading goal scorer at the 2022 FIFA World Cup with 5 goals, taking his total tally at the global Mundial to 9 goals from just two tournaments.

Mbappe upstages Giroud after goalscoring record

Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe’s performance against Poland in France’s round of 16 win against Poland took the shine off Oliver Giroud’s big moment for the defending world champions, BBC reports.

Giroud became France's leading men's scorer when he put his side ahead in their 3-1 victory over Poland in the last 16 of the World Cup.

On a momentous day when he scored his 52nd international goal, the former Chelsea and Arsenal striker was upstaged by team-mate Mbappe's stunning two-goal showing.

Mbappe bypasses Pele to set incredible record

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Kylian Mbappe's goal-scoring heroics against Poland etched his name in the sands of time at the World Cup.

Mbappe, who has been in red-hot form at the 2022 World Cup, inspired France to the quarterfinals with a brace in Les Bleus' 3-1 win over their European counterparts on Sunday, December 4.

In guiding France past Poland, the 23-year-old pulled down a number of records as he continues to spearhead his country's title defence in Qatar.

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Chukwu Ikechukwu
Chukwu Ikechukwu Godwin is a journalist with over 9 years of experience in the Nigerian media industry. He has worked both in Radio (Today FM, Rhythm FM, Wish FM) and Television (Silverbird TV) as a Sports Analyst..
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