Kylian Mbappé
Who was Kylian Mbappé?
French striker who won the 2018 FIFA World Cup and became the second teenager in history to score in a World Cup final.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Kylian Mbappé (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Kylian Mbappé Lottin, born on December 20, 1998, in Paris, France, is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for Real Madrid and leads the French national team. Growing up in the suburb of Bondy, Mbappé showed exceptional talent in football from a young age, starting at AS Bondy's youth academy before moving to the Clairefontaine academy. He began his professional career in 2015 with AS Monaco, quickly becoming one of Europe's top young talents.
Mbappé had his breakout season in 2016-17 with Monaco, helping them win the Ligue 1 title and reach the UEFA Champions League semifinals. His standout performances gained global attention, leading to his transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 for a total of €180 million, making him the most expensive teenage player ever. Over his seven years at PSG, he became the club's all-time leading scorer, won six Ligue 1 titles, and led the team to their first-ever Champions League final in 2020.
On the international scene, Mbappé made his debut for France in 2017 and quickly became a key player. At the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, he became the second teenager after Pelé to score in a World Cup final, helping France win the championship. He was named the FIFA World Cup Best Young Player and French Player of the Year. He continued his international success by helping France win the UEFA Nations League in 2021, where he was the top scorer.
In 2024, after years of speculation, Mbappé achieved his dream of joining Real Madrid on a free transfer. His first season was a huge success, as he won the Pichichi Trophy and his first European Golden Shoe, setting a new record for most goals by a Real Madrid player in their debut season. The club also won the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup during his first year. Known for his incredible speed, technical skill, and sharp finishing, Mbappé is widely regarded as one of the world's best players and a leading talent in modern forward play.
Before Fame
Born to a Cameroonian mother and Algerian father in Paris, Mbappé grew up in Bondy, a mixed suburb in the Seine-Saint-Denis department. His father, Wilfried Mbappé, was a football coach, and his mother, Fayza Lamari, was a former handball player, giving him athletic genes and early exposure to professional sports. He started playing football at age six with AS Bondy, the local club where his father coached.
Mbappé's exceptional talent was clear during his youth career, leading to his selection for the well-known Clairefontaine academy at age 13. He trained there with other promising French talents while continuing his education, balancing school with intensive football training. His performances at the youth level caught the attention of scouts from major European clubs like Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich, but he eventually decided to start his professional career with AS Monaco in 2015.
Key Achievements
- FIFA World Cup winner (2018) and Golden Boot winner (2022)
- All-time leading goalscorer for Paris Saint-Germain
- Winner of seven Ligue 1 titles across Monaco and PSG
- Recipient of the Kopa Trophy and European Golden Shoe
- Knight of the Legion of Honour (2018)
Did You Know?
- 01.He rejected a trial with Real Madrid at age 14 because he felt he was too young to leave France
- 02.His younger brother Ethan is also a professional footballer who plays for Lille
- 03.He became the youngest player to score 30 goals in the Champions League at age 23
- 04.He donated his entire World Cup earnings from the 2018 tournament to charity
- 05.He has his own comic book series called 'Mbappé' published by Glenat
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Knight of the Legion of Honour | 2018 | — |
| Best Young Player Award | 2018 | — |
| Alejandro buceta | 2017 | — |
| Kopa Trophy | — | — |