Kylian Mbappe’s Path to the Pinnacle of Football

Posted : 14 August 2024

In modern football, the pursuit of numbers and titles by players has become a defining characteristic. As we move past the era dominated by Messi and Ronaldo, the popular perception is that the title of "the best player in the world" is increasingly linked to both personal and team achievements, as they are often interdependent.

Over the last two decades, there was a general consensus about the best player in the world, typically oscillating between the Argentine phenomenon and the Portuguese icon. Now, it seems the closest contender for this status in world football is Kylian Mbappe.

Kylian Mbappe was marked as a prodigy in world football as early as age 17, destined to take center stage once Messi and Ronaldo stepped back. In the summer of 2018, his leadership of the French national team to victory in the World Cup in Russia signaled a shift between the older generation of football stars and the new.

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Mbappe's stellar performance included four goals and a remarkable showing against Argentina in the round of 16, an event that became a legendary World Cup moment. However, despite his individual brilliance and consistent personal achievements, a major title at the club level eluded him. Playing alongside other stars like Neymar and Messi at Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappe aimed for the coveted Champions League title but came closest during the 2020 season when PSG lost to Bayern Munich in the final.

While Mbappe's prowess in the French league is undeniable, the league itself is not regarded as highly as others in Europe, making it difficult for his achievements to translate into Ballon d'Or success. Although Messi won the Ballon d'Or while at PSG, his triumph was largely attributed to his exceptional World Cup performance with Argentina.

Mbappe, despite his talents and efforts, has only made it to the Ballon d'Or podium once, finishing third in 2023, significantly trailing behind Messi and Erling Haaland. With a less-than-stellar showing for France in the Euros and no extraordinary achievements with PSG in the European arena, he is not expected to be a top contender for the next Ballon d'Or.

Throughout his career, Mbappe has admired Cristiano Ronaldo, his childhood hero and role model. Even as a young fan, Mbappe looked up to Ronaldo, aspiring to play at the highest level and emulate the success of his idol. When Mbappe joined Real Madrid, he expressed his lifelong dream of playing for the club, stating, "Since I was a child, I dreamed of playing for Real."

He considers his friendship with Ronaldo and the advice he receives from him as invaluable, emphasizing the influence Ronaldo has had on his career. Mbappe's journey to Real Madrid was accompanied by great expectations, and while his career path differs from Ronaldo's, he aims to carve out his own legacy at the club.

Mbappe's move to Real Madrid came under different circumstances compared to Ronaldo's arrival in 2009. Ronaldo joined a team in crisis, with Real Madrid struggling to advance past the Champions League round of 16 for several years. In contrast, Mbappe joined a successful team, European champions twice in the last three years. While this could be seen as a challenge, it also presents an opportunity for Mbappe to contribute to an already formidable squad. Although it is unlikely that Mbappe will match Ronaldo's record-breaking goal tally at Real Madrid, his focus is on achieving team success and earning the title of the best player in the world. After years of pursuing individual statistics without much team success in France, Mbappe is now eager to contribute to a team's achievements and solidify his status as one of the greatest players in football.

Kylian Mbappe’s Path to the Pinnacle of Football

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