Kylian Mbappe: 10 things you did not know about the Paris Saint-Germain and France superstar
The 20-year-old tore Manchester United to shreds in the Champions League and will look to repeat the feat on Wednesday night, live on talkSPORT
Two weeks ago, Kylian Mbappe tore through Manchester United's backline like a hot knife through butter.
The 20-year-old utilised his breathtaking pace and spectacular skills to leave Eric Bailly and Viktor Lindelof clutching thin air all evening.
On Wednesday, the United defenders have to pull off the impossible and overturn a 2-0 deficit at the Parc des Princes. But keeping the 20-year-old superstar will have to be the first priority.
The game, which is exclusively live on talkSPORT, will give Mbappe another chance to show to the world he deserves to be considered as one of the best in the world, despite his tender age.
In what is just his second season in Paris, the doubters who feared he would be lost in Neymar's expensive shadow have certainly silenced.
This season alone, Mbappe has scored 34 goals and registered 10 assist from 43 games in all competitions.
But what is it that makes the striker so good and how did he get to the biggest stage of them all so quickly?
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From rejecting Chelsea to moving into one of the most luxurious Parisian penthouses in the space of just five short years.
Below are ten facts which give a brief insight into what makes the former Monaco tick and reveal a little more about his character.
1) MOST VALUABLE PLAYER IN THE GAME
According to the CIES Football Observatory, Mbappe is the most valuable footballer in the world at this moment in time.
Using an algorithm which takes into account age, production, current league and contract, the statisticians were able to deduce that Mbappe is worth a reported €281.5million.
Considering he cost PSG £166million once his transfer was officially completed in 2018, this represents a bit of a bargain.
2) IDOLISED CRISTIANO RONALDO
Once upon a time, Mbappe idolised five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo – although that is no longer the case.
Admitting to admiring the Portugal superstar when he was younger, the 20-year-old said it was amazing to meet Ronaldo last season in the Champions League.
The former Real Madrid star then ended Mbappe’s hopes of winning the competition with a stunning performance over both legs of their knockout stage clash.
3) ATHLETIC FAMILY
Kylian’s father, Wilfried, used to be a professional coach and played for AS Bondy and now acts as the player’s agent.
His mother, Fayza Lamar, was a handball player who competed in Division 1 of the women’s handball league.
And, perhaps most incredibly, his 12-year-old brother Ethan plays for PSG’s Under-12 side.
4) CAMEROON AND ALGERIAN ROOTS
Although he has made his name on the international scene with France, Mbappe could just as easily have played for Cameroon or Algeria.
His mother is of Algerian origin and his father is actually from Cameroon.
He grew up in France and played at the prestigious Clairefontaine academy, so playing for his country of birth was always the preferred option.
5) BELIEVES HE EARNS ‘INDECENT MONEY’
Despite his undeniable talent and potential, the starlet incredibly claimed the money at the top level in the game is ‘indecent’.
Considering he is the second most expensive player in history, it seems incredible Mbappe would make such a statement.
But the forward has remained humble since his upbringing in Bondy, a small suburb outside of Paris.
6) DONATED ALL HIS WORLD CUP WINNINGS
Most players feel tremendously proud of representing their country, but Mbappe proved that sense of elation was enough for him.
Claiming he felt he did not want to be paid to play for France, the youngster donated all of his World Cup salary to a children’s charity called Premiers de Cordée.
Mbappe received an estimated €20,000 per game and then an additional €300,000 bonus for his exploits in Russia, meaning the total fee was around €400,000.
7) NEARLY JOINED CHELSEA
In 2012, the wonderkid was handed a trial by Chelsea as the Premier League giants went all out to sign the starlet.
However, Mbappe reportedly didn’t offer enough defensively for the liking of Blues academy bosses and he was asked to come back for a second trial.
Despite giving the youngster a customised shirt, his mother rejected the chance and reportedly said: “Either they sign him now, or within five years they’ll have to offer €50million to tie him down.”
8) YOUNGEST PLAYER IN MONACO’S HISTORY
After joining Monaco at the age of 14, Mbappe was soon fast-tracked into the senior side due to his incredible performances.
At just 16 years old, he made his debut for the Monaco first team in December 2015. He beat the previous record set by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.
A year later, Mbappe broke another one of Henry’s records by becoming the youngest player to score for Monaco.
9) LIVING THE LIFESTYLE
After his record-breaking move from Monaco, Mbappe initially stayed in the Royal Monceau hotel to familiarise himself with the French capital once again.
And in November 2017, the youngster moved out to one of Paris’ most exclusive and expensive neighbourhoods – the 16th Arrondissement.
With stunning views of the Eiffel Tour, two floors, a terrace roof with a Jacuzzi and a short commute to the Parc des Princes, the striker really is living the dream.
10) SOCIAL MEDIA KING
As with every footballing superstar, Mbappe has a considerable presence on social media.
At the time of writing, he has 27.4 million followers on Instagram – more than Barack Obama and current French President Emmanuel Macron.
Although he has a long way to catch the likes of Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, it is a strong start for the youngster.