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— CH. 1 · ROOTS IN BONDY —

Kylian Mbappé

~7 min read · Ch. 1 of 7
7 sections
  • Kylian Mbappé Lottin arrived into the world on the 20th of December 1998 within the 19th arrondissement of Paris. He grew up in Bondy, a suburb located to the northeast of the capital city. His father Wilfrid worked as a football coach and hailed from Cameroon. His mother Fayza Lamari served as his agent and was originally Algerian Kabyle before playing handball professionally. A younger brother named Ethan also plays for Lille while an older adoptive brother Jirès Kembo Ekoko became a former professional footballer.

    The family home sat in a neighborhood where ambition often outpaced resources. Mbappé attended a private Catholic school in Bondy during his childhood years. Teachers noted he was academically gifted yet frequently unruly in class settings. At age 15 he began taking Spanish lessons and eventually achieved fluency in that language. Among his idols growing up were Zinedine Zidane Cristiano Ronaldo Neymar Ronaldinho Lionel Messi Ronaldo Nazario Eden Hazard and Thierry Henry.

    A gift from his nanny's Italian family included Robinho's AC Milan shirt which became a cherished possession. Despite this early connection to Serie A his own favorite team remained Real Madrid throughout his youth. In May 2024 just days before his transfer announcement he mentioned still following Serie A and expressed a desire to play for the Rossoneri if ever moving to Italy.

  • Mbappé joined the youth academy of Monaco in July 2013 at the age of 14 after signing a three-year contract. The club beat competition from Real Madrid and Zinedine Zidane who was very involved in efforts to sign him. Leonardo Jardim brought him into Monaco's reserve team in October 2015 as a mainstay but his skill level prompted promotion to the main squad after only three weeks.

    His first-team debut occurred two months later on the 2nd of December 2015 during a 1, 1 Ligue 1 home draw against Caen. He replaced Fábio Coentrão after 88 minutes making him Monaco's youngest-ever first-team player aged 16 years and 347 days. This broke the previous record set by Thierry Henry in 1994. On the 20th of February 2016 Mbappé scored his first goal for the club's first team in stoppage time during a 3, 1 league win over Troyes at the Stade Louis II.

    At 17 years and 62 days he became the youngest first-team goalscorer in Monaco's history displacing Henry once again. On the 6th of March 2016 he signed his first professional contract tying him to Monaco until June 2019. Vadim Vasilyev vice-president of Monaco stated in an interview with CNN that he knew early on that Mbappé was a phenomenon. The young striker ended the 2016, 17 season with 26 goals from 44 matches across all competitions as Monaco won the Ligue 1 title.

  • On the 31st of August 2017 Paris Saint-Germain announced the signing of Mbappé from Monaco on loan with a mandatory purchase option worth €180 million. According to PSG assistant sporting director Luis Ferrer the shift in decision came partly thanks to a convincing speech given by manager Unai Emery at the Mbappés' home over the summer. The fee made him the most expensive teenager ever and second-most-expensive player behind teammate Neymar breaking the record for largest transfer within a domestic league.

    Mbappé received number 29 upon arrival in the French capital. He made his PSG debut on the 8th of September 2017 in a 5, 1 Ligue 1 win away at Metz scoring a goal. Four days later he recorded his first European goal for the club in a 5, 0 UEFA Champions League group stage defeat of Celtic. On the 6th of December he scored his tenth career Champions League goal becoming the youngest player to reach that mark at 18 years and 11 months.

    In July 2018 he was given number 7 jersey taking up the squad number left vacant by Lucas Moura. Sporting hashtag #K7LIAN he stated I keep trying to progress on pitch and think it right time to change number. The No. 7 shirt is legendary one many greats have worn. He hopes able do this number justice on pitch. By May 2024 after several years of speculation he joined Real Madrid on free transfer ending seven-year negotiation.

  • Real Madrid announced Mbappé had signed five-year contract on the 3rd of June 2024 two days after club triumph against Borussia Dortmund in 2024 UEFA Champions League final. His move concluded highly anticipated seven-year transfer saga reflecting status as football's most sought-after players. After signing he stated It's dream come true so happy proud join club dreams. Nobody can understand how excited right now.

    Presentation held at Santiago Bernabéu on the 16th of July attended by 80,000 spectators same number as Cristiano Ronaldo presentation in 2009. He received number 9 shirt becoming first Real Madrid player wear since compatriot Karim Benzema. Mbappé made debut for Real Madrid on the 14th of August 2024 in 2024 UEFA Super Cup against Atalanta scoring second goal of 2, 0 win.

    He opened scoring in 67th minute adding second from penalty spot eight minutes later during 2, 0 victory against Real Betis on the 1st of September. On the 17th of September scored first Champions League goal opening scoring in 3, 1 victory over VfB Stuttgart during inaugural matchday newly formatted league phase. By April 13 received first red card with Madrid after controversial challenge Antonio Blanco widely scrutinized.

    On the 11th of May scored hat-trick in El Clásico breaking Real Madrid goalscoring record despite losing match 4, 3 taking him to 39 goals Los Blancos breaking Iván Zamorano 32-year record most goals scored by Real Madrid player debut season. In next game netted equaliser against Mallorca becoming first player ever score 40 times Madrid debut season.

  • Called up France squad the 17th of May 2018 World Cup Russia. Scored first World Cup goal the 21st of June 2018 Les Bleus 1, 0 group stage win Peru making youngest French goal scorer World Cup history aged 19. Named man match the 30th of June 2018 4, 3 win Argentina round 16 winning penalty scoring two goals second teenager score two goals World Cup match after Pelé 1958.

    Scored 25-yard strike the 15th of July 2018 Croatia 2018 World Cup final France gaining 4, 2 win became second teenager after Pelé score World Cup final receiving FIFA World Cup Best Young Player Award. Pelé congratulated social media saying welcome club. On the 13th of November 2022 scored first goals 2022 World Cup qualifiers finding net four times 8, 0 win Kazakhstan super hat-trick including 32-minute first half hat-trick first competitive hat-trick scored France since Dominique Rocheteau 1985.

    France kicked off 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign Qatar against Australia the 22nd of November 2022 involved three France's goals 4, 1 victory. Four days later scored both France's goals 2, 1 victory Denmark securing qualification knockout stages breaking World Cup Champions Curse. Became only second player history score hat-trick World Cup final scoring three goals Argentina 2022 World Cup final.

    Mbappé often plays winger capable playing either flank due ability feet. Capable cutting centre onto stronger right foot left wing creating chances providing assists teammates from right thanks vision. Also able play centre main striker composure clinical finishing eye goal.

    Known dribbling ability acceleration agility quick feet first touch link-up play creativity possession demonstrated elaborate feints step

  • overs sudden changes pace direction beat opponents one-on-one situations. Highly regarded pace close ball control dribbling speed movement tactical intelligence ability beat defensive line making attacking runs space on and off ball.

    Ability time runs enables stretch opposing defences making dangerous offensive threat counter-attacks. During beginning career compared various greats football history described Arsène Wenger huge football talent similar qualities Thierry Henry. Talent stand-out performances France 2018 World Cup led media compare Pelé. Former France international Nicolas Anelka said Mbappé ability run defences reminded Ronaldo performances 1996 Olympics characteristics world-class player.

    Mbappé has sponsorship deal sportswear equipment supplier Nike. In 2017 aged 18 partnered brand launch own football boots Kylian Mbappé Nike Hypervenom 3. In 2018 unveiled Nike Mercurial Superfly VI boots inspired R9 Mercurial boots former Brazilian striker Ronaldo. Swiss watchmaker Hublot signed global ambassador 2018.

    December 2021 became global ambassador Dior partnership initially announced two-year period

  • ongoing 2025 June 2025 Dior creative director Jonathan Anderson publicly highlighted role face brand campaign Summer 2026 collection teasers describing voice generation launch communications. Featured EA Sports FIFA video game series FIFA 18 highest potential rating 94 trademark goal celebration posing arms folded hands tucked under armpits inspired younger brother Ethan beating Kylian FIFA inserted FIFA 19 cover star FIFA 21 youngest appear cover solo.

    Included Time among 100 most influential people world 2023 ranked third Forbes list world's highest-paid athletes 2023 subsequently sixth 2024 16th 2025 Sportico listed fifth highest-paid athlete 2023 ninth highest-paid athlete 2024. On the 22nd of February 2018 joined former African strikers George Weah Didier Drogba meeting French president Emmanuel Macron FIFA president Gianni Infantino Élysée Palace Paris focused sports development project Africa.

Common questions

When and where was Kylian Mbappé born?

Kylian Mbappé Lottin arrived into the world on the 20th of December 1998 within the 19th arrondissement of Paris. He grew up in Bondy, a suburb located to the northeast of the capital city.

Which club did Kylian Mbappé join after leaving Monaco in August 2017?

Paris Saint-Germain announced the signing of Kylian Mbappé from Monaco on loan with a mandatory purchase option worth €180 million on the 31st of August 2017. The fee made him the most expensive teenager ever and second-most-expensive player behind teammate Neymar breaking the record for largest transfer within a domestic league.

What major achievement did Kylian Mbappé accomplish during the 2018 World Cup final against Croatia?

Kylian Mbappé scored a 25-yard strike the 15th of July 2018 in the 2018 World Cup final as France gained a 4, 2 win over Croatia. This performance made him the second teenager after Pelé to score in a World Cup final and earned him the FIFA World Cup Best Young Player Award.

When did Kylian Mbappé sign his contract with Real Madrid and what number does he wear there?

Real Madrid announced Kylian Mbappé had signed a five-year contract on the 3rd of June 2024 two days after club triumph against Borussia Dortmund in 2024 UEFA Champions League final. He received number 9 shirt becoming first Real Madrid player wear since compatriot Karim Benzema.

Who are Kylian Mbappé's parents and what were their professional backgrounds?

His father Wilfrid worked as a football coach and hailed from Cameroon while his mother Fayza Lamari served as his agent and was originally Algerian Kabyle before playing handball professionally.