Barcelona veteran hails Real Madrid megastar as ‘one of the best in the world’ ahead of El Clasico | OneFootball

Real Madrid face off against arch-rivals FC Barcelona on Sunday in the first El Clasico of the season at the Santiago Bernabeu.

It will be a top-of-the-table clash in La Liga, and a win will take Los Blancos five points clear of the reigning champions who are second in the standings.

It goes without saying that Real Madrid will have a lot of their hopes pinned on superstar Kylian Mbappe, who has been in brilliant form this season.

The Frenchman is currently the leading goalscorer in La Liga with ten strikes to his name, along with two assists from only nine matches.

Wojciech Szczesny praises Mbappe

Real Madrid will be further buoyed by the fact that Mbappe boasts an excellent record against Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.

Indeed, the French forward has made the Polish goalkeeper one of his favourite victims throughout his career, and on Sunday he will face him again at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Eight goals in five matches – that is Mbappe’s record against the Polish veteran, with five of those goals coming last season alone.

Mbappe enjoys an excellent record against Szczesny. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

As such, during an interview with Eleven Sports (h/t SPORT), Szczesny was asked if he fears facing Mbappe ahead of Sunday’s Clasico.

In response, the Barcelona goalkeeper praised the France captain as one of the best in the world, saying:

“No, not fear, but a lot of respect, because I think Kylian is currently one of the best players in the world, if not the best, and a constant threat in front of goal. He clearly has a knack for getting the better of me too.

“I don’t think anyone else has come close to scoring so many goals against me, and we’ve only played five games against each other, so it’s a great compliment to the quality of this player.”

Szczesny will start in goal for Barcelona due to summer signing Joan Garcia’s absence with a meniscus injury.

And, Mbappe, who was recently named Real Madrid’s Player of the Month for September, will be hoping to extend his good momentum and form.