AL WAKRAH, QATAR — Bukayo Saka has played down comparisons with Kylian Mbappe despite enhancing his rapidly growing reputation during the World Cup in Qatar.
The 21-year-old took his tally to two goals from three appearances as England eased to a 3-0 round-of-16 win over Senegal, setting up a mouthwatering quarterfinal clash with France on Saturday.
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Mbappe burst onto the scene four years ago in Russia, winning the FIFA Young Player of the Tournament award as he scored four goals on the way to France securing the trophy, also becoming only the second teenager ever to score in a World Cup final after Pele.
Asked at a news conference on Monday if Saka felt he could make a similar impact at these finals, the England forward said: “Thank you for the compliment but no. There’s only one Kylian Mbappe.
“At the same time, there’s only one me. I want to be myself and help the team in the best way I can.
“There are so many young players in the tournament, I can name so many. Even in our team, there’s a young player who’s doing unbelievably well in Jude Bellingham.
“I’m just happy we are all here and doing well. The priority is to win the tournament, not be player or young player of the tournament.”
