The world now associates Kylian Mbappé with greatness in football. At just 25 years old, Mbappé has already achieved feats that many footballers could only dream of, transforming from an up-and-coming young star into one of the world’s finest footballers. His lightning-fast acceleration has allowed him to surpass global expectations and reach heights that many would consider impossible in such a short period of time.
Early life and football’s beginnings
Mbappé, who was born on December 20, 1998, in Bondy, France, had a predestined career in sports. His father is, in fact, Wilfried Mbappé—a football coach—and his mother, Fayza Lamari, is a professional handball player. Growing up in the midst of a sports-filled home, young Kylian took an early liking to football. His abilities were evident from a young age, and at the age of 6, he already attracted the attention of local football clubs.
His father happened to be training at AS Bondy, where Mbappé spent his early years. This was due to his inherent speed, exceptional dribbling skills, and keen understanding of football. So, it did not take long before the bigger clubs started coming for him.
Emergence at AS Monaco
In 2015, Mbappé made his professional debut at the age of 16 for AS Monaco. Fast-forward a season, and he becomes a pivotal player, assisting Monaco to win the Ligue 1 title in the 2016-2017 season. However, he primarily focused on his spectacular games, particularly in the UEFA Champions League, where he scored six goals.
The skills that made Mbappé stand out during his spell at Monaco were scoring goals and composure on the ball, along with this great sense of where he is and what he needs to do—a quality so rare for a player of his age. Clubs throughout Europe fought for him, but Paris Saint-Germain, PSG, came out on top by signing him in 2017.
Bossing it at Paris Saint-Germain
Mbappé, one of the most expensive football players in history, reportedly paid €180 million to move to PSG. Not long after, Mbappé carved out a place for himself as one of the most crucial players under the star-studded team, featuring Neymar and Edinson Cavani.
As Mbappé has picked up numerous Ligue 1 titles and domestic cups, he has continued to be an indispensable performer for PSG in the UEFA Champions League. His speed, skill on the ball, ability to break open defenders, and knack for scoring crucial goals have led him to be one of the most feared attackers in Europe.
In the 2018-2019 season, Mbappé scored 33 goals in Ligue 1, which made him the top scorer. For his performances on the field, he has received a number of individual accolades, such as Ligue 1 Player of the Year.
World Cup Glory
Perhaps the watershed moment in Mbappé’s career was in 2018, when he made France victorious in the FIFA World Cup in Russia. At just 19 years old, the young boy scored one of France’s goals to secure a 4-2 victory over Croatia. Throughout the entire tournament, he demonstrated exceptional skills and scored four goals, earning him the FIFA World Cup Best Young Player award.
Mbappé’s position at the top of the football hierarchy was cemented, and his incredible pace, skill, and football IQ made him the backbone and hope for France. The pundits continued to brandish him as the future of football.
Leadership and ambition
Despite his tender years, Mbappé already leads from the front at PSG and in the French national team. He developed maturity on and off the field that even teammates and coaches respect. The young superstar signed an extension with PSG in 2022, shocking many because he was actually strongly rumored to be leaving for Real Madrid.
He signaled this intention by staying at PSG. Mbappé aims to become PSG’s first-ever Champions League winner, cementing his legacy as the greatest footballer in club history.
Off the Pitch: A Role Model
Besides showing his talent on the football pitch, Mbappé has also grown into a role model for younger athletes all over the world. He has made use of this platform to voice opinions on various issues regarding racism and inequality in football. Mbappé has been part of many charity causes; he has been known to give generous checks to children’s hospitals as well as education programs, among other causes.
Beyond the football field, his humility and unwavering commitment to helping others have kept him close to the hearts of fans, earning him a reputation as one of the most humble stars in the game.
What Does the Future Hold for Mbappé?
And with so much football life ahead of him, Kylian Mbappé has just set the sky even higher. He is already one of the best players, but he keeps on learning, and it seems that he is still improving his game. Whether he is to stay at PSG or eventually go to another European giant, such as Real Madrid, one thing is sure: Mbappé’s legacy is only just beginning.
His ambition to win the Champions League Trophy with PSG and France’s next World Cup title will be his priority in the coming years. The world’s football fans will eagerly anticipate what this exceptional talent has in store.
