Chelsea and Arsenal legend Fabregas would snub Ronaldo and Messi and sign Mbappe instead if he was a manager
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CESC FABREGAS handed a snub to pal Lionel Messi and superstar Cristiano Ronaldo - and admitted if he was a manager he would sign wonderkid Kylian Mbappe instead.
The former Barcelona, Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder revealed who would be his top buy if he could bring anyone in and money was no object, and believes Mbappe is the new Thierry Henry.
France superstar Mbappe has been heavily linked with a £250million move to Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain.
Monaco midfielder Fabregas is currently waiting for the Ligue 1 season to resume in France after coronavirus brought football across most of the world to a halt.
The 32-year-old spoke to Spanish radio station Cadena Cope when he unveiled who would be his priority signing if he was manager of a club.
Fabregas played alongside Messi for three silverware-laden seasons after his £30m move from the Gunners in 2011.
But he would not make the 32-year-old Argentine a top signing now, nor would he bring in 35-year-old Juventus and ex-Real Madrid star Ronaldo.
The pair have 11 Ballon d'Ors between them - but clearly Fabregas is looking to youth and puts old friendships aside to bring in the future in the shape of 21-year-old World Cup-winning France striker Mbappe.
Fabregas said: "Cristiano is 35 and Leo is going to turn 33, they are older.
"For youth, talent, desire and mentality, I would sign Mbappe.
"The thought of having him for ten years up front for my team, I would go for him."
The Gunners legend also would like to sign Brazilian talisman Neymar and Norway striker Erling Haaland for his new-look team - but admitted Mbappe reminds him of ex-Arsenal team-mate Henry.
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The pair spent eight years together in North London, watching as a kid as Henry's Invicibles side won the title in 2004.
He said: "Then there are players like Neymar and Haaland, but due to his goal getting and his speed, Mbappe reminds me of Henry.
"I saw him from in behind and it was a delight when you gave him a long pass into space."
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Mbappe might have won one more World Cup than Messi and Ronaldo but his career silverware is very light compared to the two giants of the game.
Messi has eight LaLiga titles and three Champions League crowns.
Portuguese superstar Ronaldo has two LaLiga titles, three Premier League crowns, five Champions League crowns and one Serie A title.
By contrast, Mbappe won his first Ligue 1 title with PSG last season.