From Wonderkid to Leader: Can Kylian Mbappe Carry the Hopes of a Nation at Euro 2024?
Kylian Mbappe’s career has shown consistent progression since his breakout in 2016. The Frenchman has become a crucial figure for both club and country. Thanks to his performances, Mbappe has led his teams to numerous titles.
He became a fan favorite in the summer of 2018 with exciting displays in Russia. His contributions helped France secure World Cup glory. The 25-year-old star was also pivotal in France’s return to the World Cup final in 2022. Although France didn’t win the title, Mbappé scored a hat-trick in that matchup.
As Euro 2024 approaches, all eyes will be on Mbappé again. France has not won the Euro Championship since 2000, yet most Euro predictions place Les Bleus as favorites to win the title. Can Captain Mbappe lead the charge and guide his nation to victory? Our article offers insights into his prospects.
Rise to Stardom
Mbappé’s journey began in the suburbs of Paris, where his extraordinary talent was evident from a young age. His football journey took off at AS Monaco’s youth academy. At 19, he was already a first-team starter for Monaco. The Frenchman is known for his rapid pace and technical prowess. He has also added maturity and resilience to his gameplay.
Mbappé’s breakthrough was the 2016-17 season with Monaco, securing a Ligue 1 title. That season he was also instrumental in Monaco reaching the Champions League semi-finals. His remarkable performance led Paris Saint-Germain to sign him on loan in 2017. The move became permanent the following year. During his first season at PSG, the club won Ligue 1 and Coupe de France titles.
At PSG, Mbappé secured three consecutive Ligue 1 titles and two Coupe de France. He also won two Coupe de la Ligue titles. He was also instrumental in PSG’s Champions League journey, helping them reach the 2020 finals.
Mbappé’s crowning achievement at PSG came in March 2023 when he shattered the club’s goal-scoring record with his 156th goal. To reach this achievement, Mbappe scored 44 goals in 50 appearances this season. Now he heads to Real Madrid, fulfilling his lifelong ambition of playing for Los Blancos.
International Experience and Honours
Mbappé’s international career has been nothing short of impressive. He burst onto the scene in 2017 at the tender age of 18. Since his debut, he has quickly become a key cog in the French machine. His defining moment came in the 2018 World Cup. At that tournament, he became the youngest French player to score in the World Cup.
Even more remarkable, he became the second teenager ever to score in a World Cup final. The first player to accomplish that feat was legendary Brazilian icon Pelé. Mbappe’s performance in 2018 earned him the prestigious FIFA Best Young Player award.
Mbappé’s international career hasn’t been without its challenges. While his importance to the French national team is undeniable, there have been periods of inconsistency.
The 2020 Euros saw France fall short of expectations. At the time, questions arose over Mbappé’s ability to deliver when it matters. However, he responded with world-class performances at the UEFA Nations League. He was instrumental in France’s victory, scoring the winning goal in the final. He also won the Alipay Top Scorer Trophy. He received this award for scoring two goals and getting two assists. Speaking about goals, Mbappé scored nine goals in the qualifying rounds for Euro 2024.
Style of Play
Kylian Mbappé’s game is a blend of three lethal components. He is known for his dazzling speed and flawless ball handling. He combines both features with precise finishing, making him a dangerous player in front of goal.
His lightning-fast acceleration enables him to outpace defenders effortlessly. His play is consistently mesmerizing. Whether it’s weaving past opponents, crafting scoring chances, or finding the net himself. His versatility across different attacking positions makes him a tough opponent.
Mbappé’s goal-scoring prowess is a reflection of his ferocious accuracy in finishing. He seamlessly combines speed, agility, finesse, and composure when finishing plays. His ability to make rapid decisions and adapt to various scenarios lends an element of surprise to his game.
Mbappé is adept at concealing his finishing moves, using varied techniques to keep opponents guessing. He is also a master at deception. The Frenchman often feigns a far post shot, causing the goalkeeper to shift, only to slyly score at the near post instead. All of these factors combine to place him amongst football’s elite strikers.
Conclusion
Mbappe is a top player who has experience performing on the international stage. He can deliver game-winning performances at the top level. As captain of the French national team, he will be keen to push his team to their first Euros trophy since 2020.
Given the quality of players in his team, he has the right platform to accomplish his goal. He will look to repeat the doggedness and fight he displayed at the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar. If he can up his performances, there is little that will stand in his way of clinching this trophy.