Welcome to the club, Pele praises Mbappe

Teenager Kylian Mbappe confirmed his status as the new star of international football with a superb goal and impressive display in France's 4-2 World Cup final triumph over Croatia on Sunday.

At the end of a World Cup in which Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi headed home after the first knockout round and Brazilian Neymar failed to deliver, the game perhaps needed a new talent to excite the global public.

Brazil legend Pele took to Twitter to praise France sensation Kylian Mbappe after the 19-year-old became only the second teenager ever to score in a World Cup final. The French forward drove a low 25-yard shot through the right-hand side of Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic to hand his team a 4-1 lead.

Brazil’s legendary Pele, who had himself scored twice as an 18-year old teenager during Brazil’s 5-2 victory in the final against Sweden in 1958, welcomed the young Frenchman to an elite club where there was no one except Pele.

“Only the second teenager to have scored a goal in a #WorldCupFinal!" he wrote. "Welcome to the club, @KMbappe - it's great to have some company!”

Mbappe has been a sensation throughout this World Cup as hit blazing feet dazzled opponents such as Argentina and Croatia in the final. He almost single-handedly destroyed Argentina in the Round of 16 stage of the competetion, scoring twice and earning a penalty when he was brought down inside the box.

He ended the tournament dancing around the field in delight with his team mates as he celebrated becoming a world champion. His exploits were recognized as he was awarded FIFA Young Player of the Tournament award.

"I'm very happy. The road was long but it was worth it. We are proud to make the French happy. We had this role to help them forget all their problems. We play for that kind of thing," said the forward.