Top 30 Unknown and Amazing Facts About Kylian Mbappe

One of the most captivating players in contemporary football, Kylian Mbappé is renowned for his lightning-fast reflexes, accurate finishing, and football acumen. Mbappé started his football career in his hometown club before joining AS Monaco’s development system. He was born on December 20, 1998, in Bondy, France. He advanced through the ranks swiftly, making his professional debut in 2015 at the age of just 16.

Mbappé made his breakthrough on the global arena as part of Monaco’s incredible 2016–17 campaign, which saw the team win Ligue 1 and advance to the UEFA Champions League semifinals. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) was impressed by his performances and signed him in a historic contract in 2017.

Mbappé has grown to be a crucial player in French football since joining PSG. He has won many Ligue 1 titles and consistently ranks among the top scorers in the league. In PSG’s journey to the 2020 Champions League final, his influence was essential. Mbappé’s poise and adaptability on the pitch, despite his youth, have led to comparisons with past greats like Ronaldo Nazário and Thierry Henry.

As a youngster, Mbappé garnered attention abroad at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, as he was instrumental in France’s victory. His brilliant performances, which included a goal against Croatia in the championship match, won him the Best Young Player title and made him a household name among the best players in the world.

Mbappé is respected for his modesty and charity off the field. He has donated his World Cup winnings to children’s charities, among other philanthropic causes, using his platform.

Here are 50 unknown and amazing facts about Kylian Mbappé, diving deep into his life, career, and personality.

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1. Football Runs in His Blood

• Mbappé was born into a sports-loving family. His father, Wilfried Mbappé, is a football coach, and his mother, Fayza Lamari, was a professional handball player. This athletic background gave Mbappé a solid foundation in sports.

2. Humble Beginnings in Bondy

• Kylian Mbappé grew up in Bondy, a small suburb in the northeastern part of Paris. Despite the area being known for its social challenges, it was here where Mbappé honed his skills under the watchful eyes of his father.

3. A Lifelong Real Madrid Fan

• Mbappé has always admired Real Madrid and idolized Cristiano Ronaldo growing up. He even had posters of Ronaldo plastered all over his childhood bedroom.

4. Started with AS Bondy

• Mbappé’s first football experience was with AS Bondy, where his father was one of his first coaches. He started playing at the age of six.

5. Almost Joined Chelsea as a Kid

• At the age of 11, Mbappé was invited to train with Chelsea’s youth team. He impressed the staff during his week-long trial but ultimately didn’t join the club.

6. Rejected Premier League Offers at a Young Age

• Despite being scouted by several Premier League clubs, including Chelsea and Arsenal, Mbappé chose to stay in France to further develop his career.

7. Debut at Monaco at 16

• Mbappé made his professional debut for AS Monaco at just 16 years old, becoming the youngest player ever to debut for the club, breaking Thierry Henry’s record.

8. A Record-Breaking Transfer

• His move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2017 was one of the most expensive transfers in football history, with a reported fee of €180 million. At the time, this made him the second most expensive player ever.

9. Youngest French Goalscorer in a World Cup

• During the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Mbappé became the youngest French player to score in the tournament, at just 19 years old, when he scored against Peru.

10. Loves Giving Back

• Mbappé is known for his charitable work. After winning the 2018 World Cup, he donated his entire earnings from the tournament (around €500,000) to a children’s charity called “Premiers de Cordée,” which provides free sports activities for hospitalized children.

11. Rapid Speed: Fastest in the Game

• Mbappé’s top recorded sprint speed is 38 km/h (23.6 mph), making him one of the fastest footballers in the world. His pace is often compared to that of a sprinter.

12. Fluent in Several Languages

• Mbappé is fluent in French and can speak English and Spanish, which has helped him communicate with teammates and fans worldwide.

13. First Hat-Trick for PSG at 18

• Mbappé scored his first hat-trick for Paris Saint-Germain in the French Cup against Rennes in 2018 when he was just 18 years old.

14. Close Friendship with Neymar

• Mbappé shares a close bond with his PSG teammate Neymar Jr. Despite both being superstars, they often joke and support each other on and off the pitch.

15. Youngest Player to Reach 50 Ligue 1 Goals

• In 2019, at the age of 20, Mbappé became the youngest player to score 50 goals in Ligue 1 history, achieving the milestone faster than any other player in the league.

16. Loves Fashion

• Mbappé has a keen interest in fashion and is frequently seen attending high-profile events like Paris Fashion Week. His style and charm have also made him a global ambassador for brands like Nike.

17. First French Player Since Zidane to Win FIFA Young Player Award

• After his stellar performance in the 2018 World Cup, Mbappé won the FIFA Young Player Award, the first Frenchman to do so since Zinedine Zidane.

18. Featured in TIME’s 100 Most Influential People

• In 2019, Mbappé was featured in TIME Magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential People, a remarkable achievement for someone so young.

19. Role Model to Younger Players

• Mbappé often speaks about the responsibility he feels as a role model to young players, emphasizing the importance of discipline, humility, and hard work.

20. First Teenager Since Pelé to Score in a World Cup Final

• In the 2018 World Cup final, Mbappé scored against Croatia, becoming the first teenager since Pelé in 1958 to score in a World Cup final. Pelé even congratulated him personally on social media.

21. An Avid Basketball Fan

• Outside of football, Mbappé is a huge fan of basketball. He particularly follows the NBA and has been spotted courtside at games, especially when stars like LeBron James are playing.

22. Charity Work During COVID-19

• During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mbappé played an active role in supporting healthcare workers and vulnerable populations. He donated significant amounts to hospitals and various causes.

23. His Signature Celebration

• Mbappé’s iconic celebration, where he crosses his arms and smiles, was inspired by his younger brother, Ethan, who did the same gesture after scoring during a video game session.

24. Turned Down a Huge Offer from Real Madrid

• In 2022, despite a massive offer from Real Madrid, Mbappé chose to stay at PSG, citing his love for the club and his ambitions to win more titles in France.

25. Big on Education

• Despite his meteoric rise in football, Mbappé never let education take a backseat. He continued his studies alongside his football career, emphasizing the importance of education for young athletes.

26. Youngest Ever FIFA Cover Star

• At just 21 years old, Mbappé became the youngest footballer to appear on the cover of the globally renowned FIFA video game series, specifically FIFA 21.

27. Admired by Legends

• Legendary footballers such as Thierry Henry, Pelé, and Zinedine Zidane have all spoken highly of Mbappé, praising his talent, maturity, and potential to become one of the greatest.

28. Multicultural Heritage

• Mbappé has a diverse heritage. His father is from Cameroon, and his mother is of Algerian Kabyle descent. This mix has influenced his outlook on life and football, contributing to his sense of global identity.

29. Rising Above Criticism

• Despite facing criticism for being overly ambitious or too confident, Mbappé has remained grounded, focusing on improving his game and letting his performance speak for itself.

30. The Unofficial ‘King of Paris’

• His success at PSG and connection to the city of Paris has earned him the unofficial title of “King of Paris,” with fans frequently showering him with praise wherever he goes.