5 players whose stock could rise following the Champions League Round of 16

#4 Kylian Mbappe

Paris Saint-Germain v Celtic FC - UEFA Champions League — Kylian Mbappe's stock could rise past Neymar's if he can shoot down Real Madrid

Even by the lofty standards of the Champions League, the tie between Real Madrid and Paris St. Germain feels huge. Real have been the standard-bearers in the Champions League over the past few seasons – winning the tournament in three of the last four seasons – while PSG have been aiming for the trophy since their Qatari takeover, but have fallen slightly short in every attempt.

Right now, though it feels like Real are more vulnerable than ever, PSG were the hottest side in the group stages, winning 5 out of 6 games and scoring 25 goals. As the hype for the tie has been building, though, it almost feels like a one-on-one match between Real’s superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, and PSG’s crown jewel – Brazilian mega-star Neymar Jr.

That idea forgets one man though – PSG’s French uber-prospect Kylian Mbappe. Last season he shot to fame in the Champions League with Monaco, but right now he’s behind Neymar and Edinson Cavani in the European goal stakes. The tie with Madrid is his big chance to step out of Neymar’s shadow and if he can shred Real’s defence – which he’s more than capable of – it’ll be his name everyone is talking about after the tie, not Ronaldo or Neymar.

About the author

Scott is a veteran MMA writer with over two decades of experience, including his ongoing tenure in Sportskeeda, which began seven years ago. He has written over 3000 pieces for the organization, while also covering football. Before joining Sportskeeda, Scott wrote articles for websites like The Oratory and Inside Pulse MMA.

Scott has a degree in history, which drives his research skills and helps him compile accurate information. His long stint in the field helps Scott provide a clear take on important topics, such as the criticism of promotions regarding fighter pay. While he feels fighters deserve a bigger revenue share, he doesn’t want MMA to suffer with purse-split issues.

Scott’s work has been previously reshared by the former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman. He uses credible sources, such as the UFC’s official website, during the writing process.

His dedication to MMA writing won him the Feature Writer of the Month award for Sportskeeda in November 2021.

Outside of work, Scott likes to go to the gym, walk his dog, and travel.

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Edited by Kishan Prasad