WATCH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi believes Kylian Mbappe is more famous in India than in France

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was greeted ceremoniously at the airport upon his arrival in Paris on Thursday for a two-day official visit. At the airport, he was greeted by French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne. While speaking to the Indian community at La Seine Musicale in Paris on Thursday.

The Indian Prime Minister stated that there are more Indian admirers of French star Kylian Mbappe than in France. Following his dominance in the French League and at the international level, Mbappe has become one of the most popular football players. His World Cup hat trick against Argentina in the World Cup 2022 final increased his global reputation.

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Narendra Modi has to invoke Kylian Mbappe in order to give traction to his speech. Both these communities are targeted by his party members and leaders blatantly with divisive and communal discrimination. Never has India seen such a dishonest and lying Prime Minister. https://t.co/vkgBgipNdX

— Dr.Jahanzaib Sirwal (@JhanzaibSirwal) July 13, 2023

Mbappe is probably known to more people in India than in France: Narendra Modi

PM Modi said, "French football player Kylian Mbappe is a super hit among the youth in India. Mbappe is probably known to more people in India than in France." French PM Elisabeth Borne tweeted, "Welcome to Paris @narendramodi. As we celebrate 25 years of our strategic partnership, let's continue to deepen cooperation between France and India for ecological transition, education and culture."

Mbappe was a standout for France again in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar last year, helping the team reach the finals on two occasions. He brought back his team against Argentina's Lionel Messi, scoring a World Cup Final hat-trick, a rare feat. Despite his team's failure to win back-to-back World Cups, Mbappe was awarded the Golden Boot for his eight goals in the 2022 edition, one more than Messi, who scored seven.

With the rising popularity of European football in India over the last decade, millions of people watching the 2022 World Cup Finale, Mbappe's incredible accomplishment helped him earn a huge reputation in India. Many big teams in Europe are interested in signing the great striker, with Champions League heavyweights Real Madrid the frontrunner.

Following the repercussions from last season, when Mbappe was said to have agreed to personal terms with the Spanish club but then changed his mind at the last minute, Madrid is back in the fight to sign him.