Kylian Mbappé - A Detailed Overview
Early Life
Kylian Mbappé Lottin was born on December 20, 1998, in Bondy, France. His father, Wilfried Mbappé, of Cameroonian descent, and his mother, Fayza Lamari, of Algerian origin, were both involved in football. His father is a football coach and his mother is a former handball player. Kylian also has a younger brother, Ethan Mbappé, who is a footballer as well. From an early age, it was evident that Kylian had a natural talent for football and he was enrolled in the local football academy, AS Bondy, where his father was coaching.
Youth Career
Mbappé began his career at an early age of six at AS Bondy, where he was coached by his father. He quickly proved to be a football prodigy, impressing both his coaches and teammates with his speed and skill. At the age of 11, he moved to the Clairefontaine academy, a prestigious football institute in France, to continue his development. His performances quickly attracted the interest of top French and European clubs, and he eventually joined Monaco's youth setup in 2013.
Professional Career - Monaco
Kylian Mbappé made his first-team debut for Monaco in December 2015, coming on as a substitute in a Ligue 1 match against Caen. He was only 16 at the time, breaking Thierry Henry’s record as Monaco's youngest ever debutant. The following season, Mbappé had a phenomenal breakout year, scoring 26 goals in 44 games across all competitions and helping Monaco to win Ligue 1. His performances were instrumental in Monaco’s Cinderella run to the semifinals of the Champions League.
Move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)
In 2017, Mbappé was loaned to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), with an agreement that they would permanently sign him the following summer for a fee of €180 million. This made him the most expensive teenager, the most expensive transfer within a domestic league, and the second most expensive player ever. He has since been a prolific goalscorer for the Parisian club, forming a formidable attacking trio with Neymar and Edinson Cavani, and later Lionel Messi.
Achievements at PSG
Since joining PSG, Mbappé has won numerous trophies, including several Ligue 1 titles, French Cups, and French League Cups. Individually, he has also accumulated several awards, including being named Ligue 1 Player of the Year and receiving the Golden Foot award. He has scored over 100 goals for PSG, and became the youngest player to reach 50 Ligue 1 goals.
International Career
Kylian Mbappé was called up to the French national team in 2017, and quickly became a key player for Les Bleus. He notched his first World Cup goal in France's 1-0 victory over Peru at the 2018 World Cup, thus becoming the youngest French goal scorer in World Cup history. However, it was in the knockout stages where Mbappé truly shone: he scored two crucial goals in a thrilling 4-3 victory over Argentina in the Round of 16, and also became the second teenager ever to score in a World Cup final in France’s 4-2 victory over Croatia, an achievement that saw him being compared with Brazilian legend Pelé.
Playing Style
Kylian Mbappé is known for his incredible speed, excellent dribbling, and clinical finishing. His playing style has often been compared to Brazilian legend Ronaldo, and former France striker Thierry Henry. He has effectively used his speed and intelligence to exploit spaces behind opposing defenses, therefore making him a constant threat in front of goal. Despite his young age, Mbappé shows maturity and composure on the field beyond his years.
Personal Life and Philantrophy
Away from football, Mbappé is known for his humility and commitment to philanthropy. He has donated a significant part of his earnings to various charities. Following France’s World Cup victory in 2018, he donated his entire earnings from the tournament to Premiers de Cordée, a charity that offers sporting opportunities to children who are hospitalized or have disabilities. Following the devastating fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris in 2019, he also made a substantial donation to the rebuilding efforts.
