Kylian Mbappe Beats Cristiano Ronaldo As Best Number 7 Player In The World

Paris Saint-Germaine superstar Kylian Mbappe beat Cristiano Ronaldo as world’s best player currently wearing no. 7 shirt.

“CR7” is a moniker that became widely recognized because of Ronaldo’s exceptional talent. In fact, many are convinced that the Portuguese superstar is the best athlete to ever represent the number 7. In July 2018, youngster Mbappe was given the number 7 jerseyfor the upcoming season with PSG, taking up the squad number vacated by Lucas Moura. Since then, Ronaldo and Mbappe both became the best players to rock the said number in modern soccer. However, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is still evidently ahead of the PSG youngster in terms of legacy and fame.

But a recent compilation made by reputable Whoscored.com shows that Ronaldo’s reign as the most recognized athlete wearing no. 7 shirt has already ended. The analytical website built a “best XI” line-up in the truest possible sense, with only the highest rated players who occupy shirt numbers 1 to 11 making the cut.

Still incredible at 35 years old, Ronaldo is indeed one of the best players of this era. But according to recent ratings, there is no arguing that the 21-year-old's form this season saw him as the better no. 7 player than Ronaldo.

Mbappe presents a strong case for beating Ronaldo, having been responsible for his club’s 23 league goals (scoring 18 and assisting 5) in just 1,516 minutes of action. To put this into context, the Frenchman currently has a goal contribution every 66 minutes. He is also rated as the third most productive goal scorer in the world today with a 0.90 goal-per-game percentage. Mbappe is six spots ahead of Ronaldo who has been also impressive with 0.78 goal rate.

In the Premier League, the no.7 shirt is revered at Manchester United with players such as George Best, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Ronaldo having donned it during the club’s history. And now, reports claim that Ronaldo’s former club is on the works to pass the legacy of the iconic number 7 to one of their top prospects – Jadon Sancho of Bundesliga’s Borussia Dortmund.

In the past few weeks, United has been heavily linked to Sancho in a blockbuster move this summer. The club is reportedly hoping to tempt the 20-year-old goal scorer into joining them by offering the club’s legendary no.7 shirt, a number lastly made famous by Ronaldo in English soccer.