World Cup 2022: Why Sadio Mane Is the Toughest Player Walker Has Faced

• England defender Kyler Walker has said Sadio Mane is the toughest winger he's ever faced
• The Bayern Munich winger was a regular foe for Manchester City in his time at Liverpool
• Walker will face Kylian Mbappe when England and France clash in a Mundial quarter-final

The Kyle Walker and Kylian Mbappe battle has been hyped all week, ahead of the mouth-watering England versus France quarter-final clash at the 2022 World Cup.

Although the top scorer in Qatar will give Walker a tough time, the Manchester City defender has named another player who has always given him problems.

Walker has faced some of the top wingers in the world, including Neymar, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcus Rashford, Sadio Mane, Ismaila Sarr and Jadon Sancho.

The 32-year-old has come out on top plenty of times, but his showdown with Mbappe will be testing. It is on the biggest stage of them all and both star will want to perform well, as a semi-final place will be at stake for their countries.

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However, the ex-Tottenham Hotspur defender has played down the face-off with Mbappe, according to the Telegraph.

Walker names toughest opponent

According to Sky Sports, Walker has said Bayern Munich winger Sadio Mane has always given him problems.

"I would probably say Mane, just because he never gives you a moment's rest on the ball. I'm not saying the other guys I mentioned don't, but they probably don't defend as much as Mane does and save their energy for when they are attacking."

Mane and Walker faced off plenty of times when the Senegal superstar was still wearing Liverpool colours.

Stats prove Mane did thrive against Pep Guardiola's side. He scored 10 goals in 19 appearances for Liverpool against Man City, according to Transfermarkt.

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Mane sadly missed the 2022 World Cup with an injury. His country did okay, reaching the last 16, where England beat them 3-0.

Meanwhile, Mbappe has arguably been the best player in Qatar, scoring in all but one game. He is the leading scorer with five goals.

At 23 years, he has nine World Cup goals - the same number as Lionel Messi and one more than Cristiano Ronaldo.

Walker's vow against Mbappe

Sports Brief earlier reported on Walker vowing to do everything possible to make things difficult for Mbappe.

The Three Lions full-back, who will be charged with stopping the France ace, vowed not to show too much respect.

Walker's pace and physicality will surely come in handy against the tricky Les Bleus golden boy, who scored two stunning goals in the last 16 against Poland.