Ronaldinho claims Mbappe is 'best player at PSG', insists Messi is happy in Paris

Brazil legend Ronaldinho was responsible for inspiring a whole generation to fall in love with the beautiful game but now he's happy admiring the current talent displayed on the European stage.

Two titans of European football go head to head in Paris on Saturday as Liverpool face Real Madrid in a rematch of their 2018 Champions League final - and Ronaldinho knows who he'll be cheering on.

When asked who he would be supporting in this year's final, Ronaldinho shared a wry smile before answering: 'Liverpool.'

Of course the Barcelona legend wouldn't be cheering on his former LaLiga arch-rivals Real Madrid, but he did have to admit they have talent on their side in forward Karim Benzema.

The Frenchman will be going head-to-head with Reds star Mohamed Salah on the frontlines in Paris.

Both have excelled for their teams home and abroad this season with the Egyptian netting a total of 31 goals this season - eight in 12 Champions League games - while Benzema has racked up an even more impressive total of 44 with 15 coming in Europe.

The 42-year-old claimed the duo are currently two of the best forwards in the world as he admitted either could be in the running for the prestigious Ballon d'Or this season.

Ronaldinho was speaking at the launch of his Expedia Route 10 Freestyle Bus Tour of Paris and said: 'They are strong attackers who are definitely candidates for the Ballon d’Or.

'Benzema has had a marvelous season and Salah has been great for many years now! They are both the best attackers in the world right now.

'Both of them deserve it. They are both playing in the final of the best competition in the world. After the marvelous years they’ve had, they both deserve to be in contention.'

However, while Benzema and Salah have staked their claim in the running for the prestigious award, there is one young name that is surely not far behind.

Kylian Mbappe was expected to dominate the headlines as the transfer window's hottest prospect this summer but he shocked the football world by snubbing Real Madrid to pledge his future to Paris Saint-Germain.

The 23-year-old announced he had signed a new three-year deal with the French club before their final Ligue 1 game of the season, despite many expecting him to move to Real Madrid on a free transfer.

And former PSG star Ronaldinho seemingly holds the French starlet in high regard.

When asked if Mbappe was one of the best players around, Ronaldinho replied: 'Right now, of the future... he's a player that could be part of history.

'He deserves all the respect he's getting. He is making history and can continue to create happiness for us in this game.'

Ronaldinho continued to suggest that the forward was better than any other player at the French side - even the Brazilian's former team-mate, Lionel Messi.

He added that Mbappe had already cemented himself as the best in France and if he were to have made an exit from the French capital it would only to go and become the best in another country.

'Today he [Mbappe] is the best player for PSG,' he said. 'If he left to go anywhere else, it would only be to have the chance to be the best player in another country. He’s already the best in France.'

However, Ronaldinho argued that if Mbappe had made the switch to Madrid this summer, PSG would have had the star power to survive.

'Paris Saint-Germain has some of the best players in the world right now - Messi, Neymar, Di Maria, Sergio Ramos.

'Some of the best player in the world are in this team. So if one of the best players in the world leaves other top players will continue in their place.'

Ronaldinho played alongside Messi at the Nou Camp for three years before leaving to join AC Milan in 2008.

Messi made a Nou Camp exit of his own last summer when he shockingly left the club to join PSG on a free transfer.

The move has not been the success story the footballing world envisaged, with Messi bagging only six goals in 26 Ligue 1 appearances.

However, Ronaldinho claimed his former team-mate made the right decision by quitting Barcelona.

'If my friend is happy, it’s the right decision,' he said. 'And I believe he is very happy.

'He is going through a period of adapting but he’s already been voted the best player in the world (the Ballon d’Or).'

The Catalan side managed to clinch a second-place finish in LaLiga, despite their disastrous start to the season in the wake of Messi's departure.

The club are still way off the pace set by champions and rivals Madrid but Ronaldinho insisted they can survive without the Argentine superstar thanks to Xavi at the helm.

'People said they were surprised when I left Barcelona and when Messi left. But Barcelona continues to be Barcelona.

'Things change in football, naturally. Now the club's hierarchy needs to bring in new players with talent to continue being successful.

'They already have a great coach who has a foundation in the history of the club. So the club can begin its rebuild with this manager to create a beautiful team.

'They need to now give the manager the opportunity to build a great team.

'It won’t be easy. They need a bit more time to build a side that is based around the best players. But I think players are happy to be playing for one of the best teams in the world.'

Ronaldinho has partnered with Expedia to launch his Route 10 Freestyle Bus Tour of Paris for fans travelling to the UEFA Champions League Final. Paris owns a special place in his heart, being his first home when he moved to Europe and where he lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy. This tour is a way to show fans how to travel and unlock their passion for football to enrich them and build great memories even outside those 90 minutes!