In the world of football, few names shine as brightly and promisingly as Kylian Mbappe. The French sensation has captivated fans worldwide with his incredible speed, deft dribbling and an uncanny ability to find the back of the net. He’s the heir apparent to the throne left by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the best player in the world and, over the summer, he will have the hopes of a nation on his back.
France heads to the European Championships this summer without a continental triumph in the last 24 years and will be looking to end that run. They have reached back-to-back World Cup finals in the last six years, winning the first in Russia in 2018 before losing to Argentina in Qatar 18 months ago. Mbappe netted four goals in those two fixtures combined, including a blistering hat trick in the most recent. He will be ready to display similarly scintillating form in Germany.
So, we know the maverick Frenchman is a phenomenon, but who actually is Kylian Mbappe? Let’s find out more about the footballing sensation.
Early Life and Background
Kylian Mbappe was born on December 20, 1998, in Bondy, a suburb of Paris. His full name is Kylian Mbappe Lottin and he comes from a sports-centric family. His father Wilfrid is a football coach who played a significant role in shaping his son’s early career. His mother, Fayza Lamari, was herself a professional handball player. Good genetics indeed.
Kylian’s younger brother, Ethan, is also following in his footsteps. He has recently made the step up to the Paris Saint-Germain first team. It remains to be seen how he will fare without his big brother, who has confirmed he will be leaving the Parc Des Princes on a free transfer.
Rise to Fame
Mbappe’s journey to stardom began when he joined the famed Clairefontaine Academy. His impressive performances caught the eye of AS Monaco, who brought him to the Stade Louis II in 2013. Barely two years later, he burst onto the scene in a major way.
Mbappe made his professional debut for Les Monégasques in December 2015 at just 16 years old and it didn’t take long for him to make an impact, becoming the club’s youngest-ever goalscorer. But it was in the 2016/17 campaign that he truly made a name for himself. That season, Mbappe formed a lethal partnership with Colombian hitman Falcao. The duo led the club to the Ligue 1 title ahead of moneybags PSG, as well as to the UEFA Champions League semifinals, beating tournament favorites Manchester City in the process.
Throughout the course of that campaign, the talented youngster netted 28 goals in all competitions, while his partner in crime added a further 30. That caught the eye of national team manager Didier Deschamps, who called Mbappe up to Les Bleus. A year later, they lifted the World Cup in Russia and their new talisman was the star of the show, bagging four goals including one in the 4-2 victory against Croatia in the final.
UEFA Euro 2024
Following their most recent trip to the World Cup final, Deschamps made Mbappe the captain of his country. He restored his manager’s faith in him by bagging nine goals in qualifying matches, as well as helping his side to home and away victories against the Netherlands en route to topping Group B. Now, OddsChecker has France as the 4/1 second favorite for Euro victory, with England as the 3/1 frontrunner.
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Impending Transfer
This summer, Mbappe will be on the move. His contract in the French capital expires on June 30th and he has confirmed that he will not be resigning. This has seemingly ended the three-year-long will-he-won’t-he saga with regards to a move to Real Madrid. He is expected to be announced as a Los Blancos player in the not-so-distant future and will be hoping his future is resolved before the Euros kick-off on June 14th.
Net Worth and Salary
Kylian Mbappe’s financial success mirrors his on-field exploits. As of 2024, his net worth is estimated to be around $150 million. His salary at PSG is reportedly around $28 million per year and that is expected to rise exponentially at the Bernabeu, even excluding bonuses and endorsements. Speaking of endorsements, Mbappe’s marketability is immense, with deals with top brands like Nike, Hublot, and EA Sports, adding significantly to his income.
Personal Life
Despite his fame, Mbappe has managed to keep a relatively low profile regarding his personal life. He is known for his humility and dedication to his craft. Off the field, he is involved in various philanthropic activities, including his foundation “Inspired by KM,” which aims to provide educational and sports opportunities for children in disadvantaged areas.
