‘Mbappe vs Messi is like LeBron vs Jordan’

Paris Saint-Germain stars Mbappe and Messi could answer the one question countless fans have debated for decades in this weekend’s World Cup final.

Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi’s encounter in the World Cup final has a similar vibe to what you would expect from a LeBron James-Michael Jordan showdown in the NBA finals in US basketball, according to Taylor Twellman.

The former United States international thinks the final could settle one of the biggest debates in football – the greatest player of all time.

Countless names have been put forward for the honor down the years, but if Twellman is spot on, the clash between the PSG stars may finally give fans some closure.

“For me, this [final] is all about the two stars, the two global stars,” the ex-New England Revolution forward said on ESPN.

“Lionel Messi’s legacy is on the line. If he wins a World Cup, he is inarguably the one conversation against Pele as the greatest player ever. Not Cristiano Ronaldo, not Johan Cruyff, not Franz Beckenbauer.

“If he doesn’t, Kylian Mbappe will be 23 years old and have won two World Cups. There is only one other player in the game’s history that would have two World Cups before he turns 24 – guess who that is? Pele.

“I would rightfully describe this as LeBron James playing in the NBA Finals against Michael Jordan. This is a dream match-up for anyone that loves the game, but most importantly for what Lionel Messi is trying to do in his last World Cup. If he pulls it off, there’s not a better swan song.”