World Cup 2022: How family unity has helped Kylian Mbappe to stardom

World Cup 2022: How family unity has helped Kylian Mbappe to stardom

By Krishneel Nair
18/12/2022
Kylian Mbappe [Image: FIFA]

Kylian Mbappe will run out for France against Argentina tomorrow at Lusail Stadium with the chance of becoming the youngest player to win a second World Cup since Pele did so aged 21 in 1962.

The 23 year old is the joint leading scorer in the tournament, level on five goals with PSG teammate and tomorrow's rival Lionel Messi and has already scored nine goals in World Cup matches, making him joint 15th highest scorer in the tournament history.

Miroslav Klose is the leading goal scorer at the FIFA World Cups with 16 goals to his name.

Only one player in French history has scored more World Cup goals, Just Fontaine, with 13 goals in 1958, as the lightning quick Paris St-Germain striker threatens to break all records before him.

The France number 10 was born in Bondy, a little city in the north suburbs of Paris.

The Mbappe family Kylian, father Wilfried, mother Fayza and adopted brother Jires Kembo-Ekoko lived in a council estate opposite the Bondy FC home ground.

Younger brother Ethan, now 15, would arrive later.

His dad was heavily involved in the local grassroots club, where he coached different teams and had a respected voice and reputation in the Parisian football microcosm.

His son was not interested in anything else but football.

All he wanted was to hit a ball and be around his dad's teams. Football became a constant in the household, whether watching matches on television, playing competitively or with friends, at school, at Bondy or anywhere else.

Meanwhile, Croatia has won the Bronze title earlier this morning defeating Morocco 2-1.

France will take on Argentina at 3am tomorrow.

Source: BBC

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