Three reasons why Kylian Mbappe is better than Zinedine Zidane was at 21

By Patrick Morrow / Roar Guru

Both are superstars in the world game and are both freaks in their own right, but Kylian Mbappe is just better than the man named Zizou.

These are three reasons why Mbappe is better than Zinedine Zidane at 21.

1. Mbappe has more trophies than Zidane when he was 21
Mbappe is a four-time Ligue 1 winner at the age of 21, which is quite an achievement. He is also a two-time winner of the Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue, not to mention a World Cup in 2018.

He is the new Lionel Messi of world football. On Zidane’s end, the only trophy he had when he was 21 was the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 1995 for Bordeaux. He won his trophies after his move to Juventus and that was after he was 21.

So Mbappe is better in that area, not to mention Mbappe did start off at Monaco who were successful at the time, while Zidane played at Cannes in his first couple of seasons.

2. Mbappe scored more goals in his first three seasons than Zidane
Mbappe scored more goals in his first three seasons than Zidane did. One thing that stands out is that Zidane had more appearances than Mbappe in his first three seasons of professional football.

In Zidane’s third season he only scored once in 31 appearances while Mbappe had 26 goals in 29 appearances. This shows Zidane only hit his peak once he turned 23, while Mbappe is in his prime already at 21 which is quite astounding and shows that both players were at a different level when they were the same age.

Mbappe’s skill and ball control are superior to Zidane’s when he was 21.

3. Mbappe will be remembered better than Zidane
Both players are world-class and are legends, but Mbappe will be remembered better than Zidane. Why, you ask?

Well, because Mbappe is young and Zidane’s fateful last game lives in the memory of many football fans and raises questions if Zidane is truly a legend of the sport because of that infamous headbutt. Moreover, Mbappe is known for that World Cup and hopefully the Champion’s League final on Sunday against Bayern Munich.

Zidane did not achieve success at an early age while Mbappe did. You could argue that Zidane had a harder pathway than Mbappe due to where both players started and you could argue that playing in different eras makes it hard to compare.

Both players are stars but Mbappe is just better. What are your thoughts football fans – I am wrong?

The Crowd Says:

2021-07-15T07:00:59+00:00

Advait

Guest


Go mbappe

2020-08-22T03:31:42+00:00

SamW

Guest


Different positions and different style of players. Both great players but I feel like one of Mbappe’s biggest assets is speed which doesn’t get better with age. Let’s see what Mbappe is like at 30 and then make a proper comparison.

2020-08-21T14:15:12+00:00

Roberto Bettega

Roar Rookie


Zizou was a very, very special player, one right out of the box. Never before have I seen a player who could float across the turf. Maybe he could walk on water.

2020-08-21T03:29:22+00:00

Will

Guest


No disrespect but you have never seen Zidane at his peak and you want to compare to his trophies or goals he’s scored? By the way are they are different type of players too so the comparison even more is silly. I think Mbappe will have a successful career in this own day but please don’t compare him to Zizou. I’m sorry but it’s an naive piece

2020-08-21T02:27:51+00:00

Nick Symonds

Guest


Zidane scored 95 goals from 506 matches at club level and 31 from 108 for France (1:3.5). Mbappe has so far scored 51 from 49 at PSG and 13 from 34 for France (1:2.6). The diffrerence? Zidane was a midfielder and Mbappe is a striker, completely different roles. Apples and oranges.

2020-08-20T22:32:28+00:00

chris

Guest


Not sure if you can really out and out compare them. Mbappe is pure speed and directness. Will probably score more goals than Zidane. Zidane was elegance and technique personified. Ran the midfield like a conductor controls an orchestra.

2020-08-20T12:25:53+00:00

David Shilovsky

Expert


A champions league this season would definitely strengthen Mbappe's case. I guess Mbappe has more silverware and goals to his name at 21 compared to Zidane, but to suggest Zizou isn't a legend of the game is borderline sacrilege.

2020-08-20T11:51:25+00:00

Stevo

Roar Rookie


Lolz. Zidane is a legend for a good reason. His quality with the ball and skills being able to beat one, two, three players was sublime. If in doubt check out his performance against Brazil in the 2006 WC for example https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkeaw6ooyz0 or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCjL4cqyeAk Mbappe is still the apprentice, Zidane is the certified legend.

2020-08-20T11:00:44+00:00

Brian

Guest


different type of players Mbappe more of a Henry

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