Kylian Mbappe: Who Is He and Where Is He Going?

 

 

Credit: @k.mbappe on Instagram

Football star Kylian Mbappé recently made headlines for scoring over 300 goals before celebrating his 25th birthday. This significant milestone has been a topic of discussion among fans and critics alike, as Mbappé has made significant career leaps comparable to football veterans like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. As those two wind down their careers, the French star is still rising in his.

With a promising career trajectory ahead of him, Mbappé has also been surrounded by speculation as to what he’ll do after his current contract with Paris Saint-Germain FC (PSG) ends in the summer of 2024 when he’ll be free to negotiate with other clubs. Additionally, he has yet to confirm his participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics, leaving fans wondering what else is in store for the young football star. 

Here, we take a closer glimpse at Mbappé’s career highlights thus far and how this affects his upcoming plans.

Personal life and career beginnings

Credit: @k.mbappe on Instagram

Kylian Mbappé Lottin was born on December 20, 1998. While he is a native Parisian, his father was originally from Cameroon, while his mother is of Algerian Kabyle origin. His older adoptive brother, Jirès Kembo Ekoko, is a retired professional footballer, while his younger brother Ethan recently debuted as a midfielder for PSG in December 2023.

Mbappé began his career at AS Bondy, where his youth coaches took note of his advanced abilities at controlling the ball and his speed compared to his peers. By age 11, Real Madrid invited him to train with their under-12s. In July 2013, Mbappé joined the youth academy of Monaco, signing a three-year contract at age 14. He made his first breakthrough playing for Monaco and was noted for his impressive performance before he officially signed with PSG in 2017.

Notable achievements

 

As a player in Ligue 1 under PSG, Mbappé got his first recognition as Player of the Year for the 2018–19 season when he scored 33 goals. He also led the league in succeeding seasons, gaining the same honour in 2020–21 and 2021–22. With his rise to prominence, Mbappé played for France in the 2018 and 2022 World Cup. Mbappé stood out for his performance as a striker that led France to victory in 2018 and helped his team reach the finals in 2022. Although the France national football team failed to win the last World Cup, Mbappé made history by scoring 12 World Cup goals in just 14 appearances.

Outside of football, Mbappé also made waves for his brand endorsements, including one for designer eyeglasses. That partnership is with Oakley, a leading eyewear brand featured across multiple retailers known for producing sunglasses and eyeglasses specifically designed for athletic use. These boast innovative designs, lightweight frame materials, and the latest performance shield lens technology to provide comfort for any wearer, especially in sports. That’s why it’s no surprise that Mbappé has been seen wearing frames the brand is known for, such as the Holbrook, Radar, and BXTR, in the course of their partnership.

In addition to Oakley, the football star has also been partnered with Nike since 2006 and has collaborated with the company to create his own line of football shoes and apparel. Another interesting partnership established by Mbappé has been with a high-end fashion brand. He is an ambassador for Hublot, a Swiss brand renowned for its unique timepieces. In 2022, the brand released an athletic watch with Mbappé as the face of the launch amid his success with the World Cup. He also recently posted on his social media that he has partnered with luxury fashion house Loewe, where he is set to help develop the image of the brand within 2024.

Upcoming plans

 

Currently, Mbappé has made no formal announcements on whether he will be signing with a different team once his contract with PSG ends. However, some sources speculate a move to Real Madrid, a rumour that is gaining traction. Other speculated teams include Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United, though nothing has been officially confirmed.

In line with this, Mbappé has expressed great interest in playing for France in the Olympics, but he has yet to confirm his attendance for 2024. In an interview with France TV Sport, the star expressed that playing in the Olympics is his dream but noted that he is under contract with PSG and is unsure if they will allow him to participate. With this, the rest of 2024 seems to be an exciting year for Mbappé as fans await any progress he makes with his career.