Didier Deschamps believes comparisons between Kylian Mbappe and Brazil great Ronaldo are premature after the teenager's match-winning display in France's 4-2 victory over Argentina on Saturday.
The 19-year-old has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the past two years, crystallising in a devastating display in Kazan to help set up a quarter-final tie against Uruguay or Portugal.
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The Paris Saint-Germain forward's electric pace resulted in a spot-kick early, which was duly dispatched by Antoine Griezmann.
And with the scores level at 2-2, Mbappe took centre stage with a quick-fire double to put the game beyond Argentina's reach, becoming the first teenager to score more than once in a World Cup game since Pele in 1958.
It was another Brazilian, though, that Mbappe was compared to in the aftermath - an observation that Deschamps did not want to entertain.
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"People feel like comparing players," he said. "Ronaldo was a forward player who could be decisive, he was very quick - I think Kylian is even quicker.
"He [Ronaldo] played in the centre of the field, but this is someone who was a world champion compared to a 19-year-old. He has made a lot of progress and I am happy with how he played."
Mbappe was a menace throughout and Argentina head coach Jorge Sampaoli acknowledged his side were powerless to stop the scintillating youngster.
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"We had situations we couldn't stop, and great players like Mbappe are very difficult to stop," he said.
"We talked about everything that happened, but this is football, it's not just a video.
"On paper it looks one way, on the pitch it's different.
"We saw that in the first and second half in certain places but it's difficult to control great players when they play like Mbappe did today."
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