‘He’s not’ - Matty Cash makes surprising claim about Kylian Mbappe after World Cup battle

Matty Cash has opened up on what it was like to take on Kylian Mbappe in last year’s World Cup. The full-back started all four of Poland’s matches in Qatar, including their 3-1 defeat to France in the Round of 16.

Cash only applied for Polish citizenship in September 2021 but has become a key player for the national team since making his international debut two months later. The Aston Villa defender came up against the likes of Lionel Messi, Hirving Lozano and Angel Di Maria at the World Cup, however it was Mbappe that he revealed was the biggest test.

Speaking to LADbible, Cash said: “I think Messi’s quality speaks for itself. His way to pass, the way he controls the ball, is obviously, I don’t need to sit here and explain Messi. But I think for me, Mbappé was the hardest test, yeah.”

Despite Mbappe’s superb performances in Qatar, Cash claimed that his speed certainly wasn’t a problem when he came up against the Frenchman. The former Nottingham Forest star said: “We had a good battle, I think. We had a really good - like it was a good challenge for me. I think we had like, one V one, I think there was a few times he sort of got around me and then a few where I won it off him. We had a few one-on-one races as well. He’s not quicker than me.”

Cash was also joined by Aston Villa teammate Emi Martinez in Qatar, with the goalkeeper lifting the World Cup trophy as he shone throughout the tournament. On Martinez, Cash said: “Definitely one of the best goalkeepers in the world at the moment. He’s just won the World Cup. Basically, not won them it, but he’s obviously done major, major impact on them winning the World Cup. I think he’s up there with the best in the world.”