Kylian Mbappé

Kylian Mbappé Lottin (French pronunciation: ​[kiljan (ə)mbape]; born 20 December 1998) is a French professional footballer who plays as a forward for Paris Saint-Germain, on loan from Monaco, and the France national team.

Mbappé came into prominence at an early age, starring for the youth academies at AS Bondy, INF Clairefontaine, and Monaco, making his debut as a professional for the reserve team of the last. Mbappé soon became a regular starter and goalscorer for the first team in the 2016–17 season, helping the club gain their first Ligue 1 title in seventeen years. The following season he joined Paris Saint-Germain on an initial loan, with a deal in place to join the club permanently at the end of the season for a fee of around €180 million, making him the most expensive teenager, and second most expensive player ever.[4]

Mbappé made his senior international debut for France in March 2017, after previously representing them at under-17 and under-19 levels. By scoring a goal against Peru at the 2018 World Cup he became the youngest French goalscorer at the World Cup at age 19.[5]

Club career
Early career
Mbappé began his career at AS Bondy, coached by his father, Wilfried. Eventually he moved to the Clairefontaine academy, putting on a host of impressive performances leading to numerous French clubs, and Spanish clubs Real Madrid and Valencia, attempting to sign him. Mbappé also travelled to English club Chelsea for a trial when he was 11 and even played a match for their youth team against Charlton Athletic.[6] Mbappé ultimately settled on Monaco.[7]

Monaco
2015–16 season
Mbappé made his first team debut on 2 December 2015 in a 1–1 Ligue 1 home draw against SM Caen, replacing Fábio Coentrão after 88 minutes. He therefore became Monaco's youngest-ever first-team player aged 16 years 347 days and breaking Thierry Henry's record set 21 years previously.[7][8]

On 20 February 2016, Mbappé scored his first goal for the club's first team, a stoppage-time goal in a home Ligue 1 3–1 win over Troyes; at the age of 17 years and 62 days, he became the youngest first team goalscorer in Monaco's history—once again displacing Henry in the process.[9][10] On 6 March 2016, Mbappé signed his first professional contract, a three-year deal, tying him Monaco until June 2019.[11]

Paris Saint-Germain
On 31 August 2017, Paris Saint-Germain announced the signing of Mbappé from Monaco on loan.[22] The fee required for a subsequent full transfer was set at a rumoured €145 million plus €35 million in add-ons, making him the most expensive teenager ever, and potentially the second most expensive player ever, behind teammate Neymar.[23][24][25][26] He was handed the number 29 shirt upon arrival in the French capital.[27]

He scored on his debut on 8 September in a 5–1 Ligue 1 win at Metz, in which Benoît Assou-Ekotto was sent off for fouling him.[28] Four days later, Mbappé recorded his first European goal for Les Parisiens in a 5–0 UEFA Champions League group stage away defeat of Celtic.[29] He starred in PSG's 3–0 victory over Bayern Munich in the second group game of the Champions League, setting up goals for Edinson Cavani and Neymar, the latter seeing him taking out a defender with a feint by rolling the ball under his foot.[30] Having won his first league title with the club, on 8 May 2018, Mbappé played as PSG won 2–0 against Les Herbiers VF to clinch the 2017–18 Coupe de France.[31]

Mbappé capped a fine debut senior season at Monaco by scoring five times for France as they won the 2016 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, the striker almost single-handedly securing their spot in the final with a sparkling performance in their 3–1 victory against Portugal in the semi-finals.[7]

International career
Mbappé was called up to the senior France squad for the first time to face Luxembourg and Spain in March 2017.[32] He made his debut on 25 March 2017 against the former, coming on for Dimitri Payet in the 78th minute of a 3–1 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification away win.[8] In doing so, he became the second youngest player (only behind Maryan Wisnieski) to ever feature for France at 18 years, three months and five days old.[33] On 31 August 2017, Mbappé scored his first senior international goal in a 2018 World Cup qualification match against the Netherlands.[34]

On 17 May 2018, Mbappé was called up to the France squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.[35] On 21 June 2018, he scored his first World Cup goal in France's 1–0 win over Peru. This made him the youngest French goalscorer in World Cup history at age 19.[5] On 30 June 2018, he was named Man of the Match in the Round of 16 4–3 win over Argentina, scoring twice and suffering a foul in the box which resulted in Antoine Griezmann opening the score from a penalty kick.[36] Mbappé was the second teenager to score two goals in a World Cup match after Pelé in 1958.[37]

Style of play

Mbappé has been described as a "huge football talent" who "has similarities to Thierry Henry" by Arsène Wenger.[38] With his ability to run at defences former France international Nicolas Anelka stated, "He reminds me of Ronaldo of the 1996 Olympics. He has the characteristics of a world-class player and he must manage them properly. If he follows Ronaldo's career, 'O Phenomenon', he will be one of the legends that has made history in the sport.”[39]

Outside football
Sponsorship
Mbappé has a sponsorship deal with sportswear and equipment supplier Nike. In 2017, his prodigious talent saw Nike launch his own personalized football boots at age 18, the Kylian Mbappé Nike Hypervenom 3.[40] In 2018, Mbappé unveiled the Nike Mercurial Superfly VI boots which were inspired by the R9 Mercurial boots of former Brazilian striker Ronaldo.[41

Personal life
Mbappé was born in Paris.[3] His father Wilfried hails from Cameroon and, as well as being his agent, is a football coach, while his Algerian mother Fayza is a former handball player. His adoptive brother Jirès Kembo Ekoko is also a professional football player. He also has a younger brother named Adeyemi Mbappé.[7][42] Mbappé has stated that growing up he idolized Cristiano Ronaldo.[43]

International Goals
International goals
As of match played 30 June 2018. France score listed first, score column indicates score after each Mbappé goal.[44]
International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 31 August 2017 Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France 5 Netherlands 4–0 4–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
2 27 March 2018 Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia 12 Russia 1–0 3–1 Friendly
3 3–1
4 9 June 2018 Groupama Stadium, Décines-Charpieu, France 15 United States 1–1 1–1
5 21 June 2018 Ekaterinburg Arena, Yekaterinburg, Russia 17 Peru 1–0 1–0 2018 FIFA World Cup
6 30 June 2018 Kazan Arena, Kazan, Russia 19 Argentina 3–2 4–3
7 4–2