Top 50 Unknown and Amazing Facts About Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappé (born on December 20, 1998) Lottin is a French professional football player who captains the France national team and plays forward for La Liga club Real Madrid. He is recognized for his pace, dribbling, and finishing as one of the greatest players in the world.
Mbappé started his professional club career in 2015 with Monaco, where he won the Ligue 1 title in the 2016–17 season. Born in Paris, he was reared in the neighboring town of Bondy. At the age of 18, Mbappé signed a permanent contract worth €180 million to join Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, making him the second most expensive player and most expensive young player in history.
Let’s dive into the top 50 unknown and amazing facts about Kylian Mbappe.
1. Early Start in Football
Kylian Mbappe began playing football at the age of six. He was already considered a prodigy by his early coaches, showing exceptional skills that far exceeded other children his age.
2. Football Family
Mbappe comes from a family deeply rooted in sports. His father, Wilfried Mbappe, is a football coach, and his mother, Fayza Lamari, was a professional handball player.
3. Dual Nationality
Though Mbappe was born in France, he holds dual nationality because his father is from Cameroon and his mother from Algeria. He could have chosen to represent either country but chose France.
4. Iconic World Cup Debut
At the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Mbappe became the second teenager in history to score in a World Cup final, the first being Pelé in 1958. This feat cemented his status as a footballing sensation.
5. Love for Cristiano Ronaldo
Mbappe idolized Cristiano Ronaldo growing up. Pictures of Ronaldo covered his bedroom walls, and he has often spoken about how much the Portuguese forward influenced his development as a player.
6. First Professional Contract at 16
Mbappe signed his first professional contract with AS Monaco at the age of 16. His breakthrough at Monaco came when he was just 17, making him one of the youngest debutants in Ligue 1 history.
7. Lightning Speed
Mbappe is renowned for his extraordinary pace. He can run 100 meters in under 10 seconds, which is on par with Olympic-level sprinters. His speed gives defenders nightmares.
8. Academic Excellence
In addition to his footballing skills, Mbappe was also a star student. Despite the demands of his budding football career, he excelled academically, showing a keen interest in history and languages.
9. Charity Work
Mbappe is known for his philanthropic efforts. He donated his entire earnings from the 2018 World Cup to charity, demonstrating his commitment to giving back to society. He also supports several children’s charities.
10. Rejection from Chelsea
When he was just 11 years old, Mbappe had a trial at Chelsea. Despite impressing during his week-long stint with the London club, they decided not to sign him because they felt he wasn’t defensively strong enough.
11. First Car at 18
Unlike many other footballers who buy luxury cars as soon as they can, Mbappe didn’t own a car until he was 18, despite earning significant wages. This was mainly because he didn’t have a driver’s license until then.
12. Nike Deal at 13
Mbappe signed his first major sponsorship deal with Nike at just 13 years old. Recognizing his immense potential early on, Nike has continued to sponsor him throughout his career.
13. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) Record Signing
In 2017, Mbappe joined PSG on loan from Monaco, with the deal becoming permanent for a transfer fee of €180 million the following year. This made him the second most expensive player in football history at the time.
14. Youngest Ligue 1 Goal Scorer
Mbappe became the youngest player to score for Monaco in Ligue 1, breaking Thierry Henry’s record. He was just 17 years and 62 days old when he scored his first goal for the club.
15. First Hat-Trick at 18
At the age of 18, Mbappe scored his first hat-trick for Monaco during a Coupe de la Ligue match against Stade Rennais, showcasing his lethal goal-scoring ability at a young age.
16. Generational Talent
Mbappe has often been referred to as a “generational talent” by football pundits and former players alike. His combination of speed, technical ability, and finishing skills is considered rare.
17. Multilingual
In addition to his native French, Mbappe is fluent in English and Spanish. This linguistic ability has helped him communicate with international teammates and coaches.
18. Youngest French Player to Reach 50 Ligue 1 Goals
In March 2019, Mbappe became the youngest player in Ligue 1 history to score 50 goals in the league. He was just 20 years old at the time.
19. Father is His Agent
Kylian’s father, Wilfried, has played a crucial role in his career, serving as his agent until Kylian eventually signed with a professional agency.
20. Cultural Impact
Mbappe’s impact goes beyond the football pitch. He has become a pop culture icon in France, appearing on numerous magazine covers and television shows, and influencing fashion trends.
21. Joining Dream Club Real Madrid
Real Madrid declared on June 3 that they have acquired Kylian Mbappe for a five-year deal. Officially, it’s a free transfer because the forward’s PSG contract expired and he became a free agent.
Of course, the 15-time European kings will still have to shell out a lot of money for this arrangement. Mbappe’s Madrid contract is reportedly for €15 million net per season, or about €288,000 per week, according to BBC Sport.
22. Passionate About Video Games
Mbappe loves playing video games, especially FIFA. In fact, he is an avid gamer and has appeared on the cover of FIFA 21 and FIFA 22, reflecting his status as one of football’s biggest stars.
23. Nicknamed ‘Donatello’
Mbappe’s PSG teammates gave him the nickname “Donatello” after one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, due to his slight resemblance to the character and his love for the cartoon series.
24. First French Player to Score in 4 Consecutive Champions League Matches
In the 2020-2021 season, Mbappe became the first French player in history to score in four consecutive UEFA Champions League matches.
25. Rejects Extravagance
Mbappe lives a relatively humble lifestyle compared to other football stars. Despite his fame and fortune, he prefers to keep his feet on the ground and avoids lavish purchases.
26. Named After a French Politician
Mbappe’s middle name, Lottin, was inspired by a local politician his parents admired.
27. Ligue 1 Player of the Year
Mbappe has won the Ligue 1 Player of the Year award multiple times, solidifying his position as the best player in France’s top division.
28. Most Expensive Teenager
His move to PSG from Monaco made him the most expensive teenager in football history, with his transfer fee of €180 million eclipsing the previous record.
29. World Cup Sensation
Mbappe was awarded the Best Young Player award at the 2018 World Cup, not only for his goals but for his overall impact and maturity on the field.
30. First Goal for PSG in Champions League Knockout Stage
Mbappe scored his first Champions League knockout stage goal for PSG in a 2-1 victory against Manchester United, helping the team to a crucial win.
31. Equaling Pelé’s Record
When Mbappe scored in the 2018 World Cup final, he became the second teenager after Pelé to score in a World Cup final. Pelé himself congratulated Mbappe for matching his historic record.
32. Stands Up for Social Causes
Mbappe has used his platform to raise awareness for social issues, including racism and inequality. He is vocal about the need for football to tackle such problems head-on.
33. Won the French Footballer of the Year Award Multiple Times
Mbappe has won the French Footballer of the Year award numerous times, underscoring his dominance in the French football scene.
34. Football Boot Enthusiast
Mbappe has a vast collection of football boots, and he is particularly fond of customized pairs. He often wears personalized boots that reflect important moments in his career.
35. Charitable Donations to Children’s Hospitals
Mbappe is heavily involved in charity work, and one of his most notable efforts is his support for children’s hospitals in France. He frequently visits hospitals to inspire and bring joy to young patients.
36. Youngest Player to Score 10 Champions League Goals
At just 18 years old, Mbappe became the youngest player in history to score 10 goals in the UEFA Champions League, surpassing Lionel Messi’s record.
37. Bond with Neymar
Despite initial media reports of tension, Mbappe and his PSG teammate Neymar share a close bond. The duo has formed a lethal attacking partnership for PSG.
38. Won the Golden Boy Award
In 2017, Mbappe won the prestigious Golden Boy award, which is given to the best young player in Europe. This accolade highlighted his rapid rise in the football world.
39. Generational Legacy
Mbappe’s younger brother, Ethan Mbappe, is also a talented footballer and is part of PSG’s youth academy. Many speculate that he could follow in Kylian’s footsteps.
40. Calm Under Pressure
Despite his young age, Mbappe is known for his composure in high-pressure situations. Whether it’s scoring crucial goals or making key passes, his ability to stay calm sets him apart from other players.
41. Generous to His Teammates
Mbappe has earned the reputation of being a generous teammate. He is often seen assisting others in scoring goals rather than chasing individual glory.
42. Role Model for Young Players
Mbappe’s work ethic and attitude have made him a role model for young players worldwide. He frequently gives advice to up-and-coming talents on how to stay focused and humble.
43. Attends Charity Galas
Mbappe regularly attends charity galas and events, using his influence to raise funds for various causes, particularly those focused on children and education.
44. Highest Scoring French Player in a Single Ligue 1 Season
Mbappe holds the record for the highest number of goals scored by a French player in a single Ligue 1 season, an achievement that further underscores his goal-scoring prowess.
45. Proud of His African Heritage
Mbappe is proud of his African roots and often speaks about the influence of his Cameroonian and Algerian heritage on his life and career.
46. Signed His PSG Contract at the Eiffel Tower
Mbappe’s arrival at PSG was celebrated in grand fashion, with his contract signing being held at the iconic Eiffel Tower. The event marked his official unveiling to the PSG fans and media.
47. Ligue 1 Champion Multiple Times
Mbappe has won the Ligue 1 title several times with both AS Monaco and PSG. His consistent performances have contributed to his team’s dominance in the French league.
48. Multiple Awards at the 2022 FIFA World Cup
France advanced to the final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup; Mbappé scored a hat-trick to tie the record for most goals scored in World Cup final matches in addition to winning the Golden Boot and Silver Ball. Only two players—Brazil’s Vavá in 1958 and 1962—have scored goals in back-to-back World Cup finals, including Mbappé.
49. Featured in TIME 100 Next
In 2019, Mbappe was featured in TIME magazine’s “TIME 100 Next” list, which highlights the most influential young people around the world. This inclusion showcased his global impact, not just in football but also as a public figure.
50. Big Goals for the Future
Despite his already illustrious career, Mbappe has expressed his desire to achieve even more. His goal is to win multiple Ballon d’Or awards and lead France to further international success.