In Bondy, a suburb north-east of Paris, a giant mural of Kylian Mbappé covers the side of a building. It shows him as a boy, and the town claims him as its own.
Mbappé was born in Paris in December 1998. His father, Wilfried Mbappé, is from Cameroon and was a football coach at the local club, AS Bondy. His mother, Fayza Lamari, of Algerian heritage, played handball professionally. Football was part of daily life from the start.
Monaco
After training at the French national academy at Clairefontaine, Mbappé joined Monaco. In the 2016 to 2017 season, aged 18, he helped Monaco win the French league and reach the Champions League semi-finals, scoring goals that made him one of the most sought-after young players in the world.
Paris Saint-Germain
In 2017, he joined Paris Saint-Germain, first on loan and then in a deal that made him one of the most expensive players in history. At PSG, he won several league titles and became the club’s all-time top scorer.
World Cup 2018
At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Mbappé, aged 19, dazzled with his speed. He scored twice against Argentina in the round of 16 and scored in the final against Croatia, becoming the second teenager after Pelé to score in a World Cup final. France won.
World Cup 2022
In the 2022 final in Qatar, Mbappé scored a hat-trick against Argentina, only the second hat-trick in a men’s World Cup final. France lost on penalties. He won the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer.
Real Madrid
In 2024, Mbappé joined Real Madrid, the club he had idolised as a boy, on a free transfer. He also became captain of the French national team.
Roots
Mbappé has visited Cameroon and has spoken about his family’s heritage. His success is celebrated in Cameroon and Algeria as well as France. He has also spoken out on social issues in France, including police violence and the importance of young people voting.
Charity
Mbappé has supported charities for children, and he has donated earnings from national team matches to good causes.
Bondy
The banlieues around Paris are often portrayed as troubled places. Mbappé, like many French players with African heritage, has become a symbol of their talent.
The boy from Bondy has scored in two World Cup finals. The mural in his hometown was painted before either.
