Arsene Wenger has reinforced his appreciation of Kylian Mbappe's talent and believes the Frenchman could become the best player in the world.
However, his Paris Saint-Germain team-mate, world's most expensive signing Neymar, doesn't come in for the same glowing praise.
The Arsenal boss, who wanted Mbappe to come to the Emirates before the Gunners' approaches were over-shadowed by the mega-bucks of Real Madrid and decisively PSG's initial loan deal, says the young Frenchman could be the next Pele.
“I think he is exceptionally intelligent, he has an exceptional character and exceptional belief," Wenger told BeIn Sports.
“I say to my friends, ‘Mbappe is the new Pele’. He can become the best player in the world, because he as well has the charisma, the character, the belief.
“You never think you’re speaking to an 18-year-old when you speak to him. He always gives you the impression when he gets the ball that something special can happen.”
Mbappe marked his PSG debut with a memorable strike on Friday night at Metz, and showed immediately what the club will pay £166million for next summer.
He formed an imposing front three with Neymar, who cost £199m, and Edinson Cavani as they battered their hosts 5-1.
The 18-year-old Mbappe took his first goal with pure power and class, blasting home first time after his own scooped pass was cleared.
Cavani bagged two and Neymar scored a brilliant curled effort, but the motives behind the Brazilian's move from Barcelona leave Wenger scratching his head.
“Neymar never expressed exactly in his statement the resons of his move, because there is always a huge desire for the players to play with the best players," he said.
“He decided to go the other way, so that is for financial reasons, or for reasons that he thinks Paris Saint-Germain is tomorrow’s club and will take over from Real Madrid and Barcelona.
“Or for individual reasons, such as maybe he wants to become the player that the team turns around, and to be acknowledged as the best player in the world.”