Kylian Mbappe may be “very fast”, but eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt says he would still beat the PSG superstar in a 100m race.
♦ France international scorches the turf
♦ Olympic Games heading to Paris in 2024
♦ Sprint king believes he’d still win race
WHAT HAPPENED?
France international Mbappe is one of the quickest players in world football, with his speed across the turf allowing him to terrorise opposition defences. There has been talk of the 25-year-old being able to clock 10.9 seconds over the course of 100m.
WHAT BOLT SAID ABOUT MBAPPE
Jamaican sprint king Bolt is impressed by the 2018 World Cup winner and has told Marca of the Frenchman’s ability to move so quickly while remaining in complete control: “It’s difficult to achieve that. People may think it’s easy. But he has a special talent. Mbappe is very fast. Very fast with the ball.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
While Mbappe is rapid in football circles, Bolt’s 100m record of 9.58 seconds appears set to stand the test of time. He is now 37 years of age, and well into retirement away from the track, but added with a smile when asked if he would still emerge triumphant in a race with Mbappe: “Yes, I can beat him.”
WHAT NEXT?
Mbappe is currently in the process of chasing down medals of his own at Paris Saint-Germain. They are closing in on another Ligue 1 title, while also reaching the Champions League semi-finals. Their all-time leading goalscorer is, however, seemingly destined to leave for Real Madrid as a free agent in the summer – prior to the 2024 Olympic Games heading for France.