Rangers star Filip Helander could lock horns with world-class performer, Kylian Mbappe, on Saturday night when Sweden take on France in the Nations League.
Helander has spent much of the last year on the sidelines after picking up a serious foot injury the League Cup final against Celtic in December 2019, before niggles saw him miss out on much of pre-season.
However, the 27-year-old returned to the Gers starting lineup for the Europa League last 16 second-leg clash against Bayer Leverkusen early last month and has since contributed to domestic clean sheets against St Johnstone, Livingston, Kilmarnock and Hamilton Accies.
Things are stepping up a notch or two this week, though, as he’s part of the Sweden squad preparing to take on reigning world champions France in Stockholm.
It’s the opening Nations League fixture for both countries in League A Group 3, where they are joined by Croatia and Portugal.
With skipper Andreas Granqvist missing out through injury, Helander is vying with Brentford’s Pontus Jansson for a starting berth alongside Manchester United star, Victor Lindelof.
Should he make Janne Andersson’s XI, he will get a chance to go up against several world-leading forwards.
Didier Deschamps has named Barcelona’s Antoine Griezmann, Anthony Martial of Manchester United and Wissam Ben Yedder of Monaco amongst his attacking options [Get Football News France].
The standout name is that of Kylian Mbappe, though, the player who joined PSG permanently from Monaco in 2018 for a reported £166m [Independent].
Mbappe netted 30 goals and registered 19 assists from 37 appearances last season helping his club to win three trophies and although he’s likely still smarting after PSG’s recent Champions League final defeat, he’s as dangerous as they come.
Helander will be hoping he gets the chance to pit himself against the superstar forward and if he can be part of a defence that keeps France quiet, he’ll surely return to Rangers full of confidence.
