PSG sensation Kylian Mbappe may be one of sport’s most recognizable characters, but the France striker lives a quiet existence away from the game.
The 24-year-old forward has had an eventful eight years after breaking Thierry Henry’s record by making his debut for previous club AS Monaco at the age of 16 years and 347 days in 2015. The Paris-born striker swiftly established himself as one of the most sought-after players in Europe, scoring 23 goals on his way to his first Ligue 1 title and a run to the Champions League semi-finals in 2016-17.
In the summer of 2017, Le Parisiens paid an estimated (£125 million (€145m) plus £30 million (€35m) in add-ons for his signature, resulting in a return to his natal city. Six years later, the prolific goalscorer has 212 goals to his name in Paris, but the holy grail of a European Cup has eluded him.
Despite winning five Ligue 1 titles during his time at Parc des Princes, it is certainly fair to argue that his greatest triumphs have come while representing his country. After becoming a world champion at the age of 19 in 2018, he came agonizingly close to repeating the feat four years later, scoring a hat-trick in one of the best individual performances in the game in the final against Argentina as France lost on penalties.
However, at the club level, the striker appears to be at a crossroads. Mbappe’s next destination has long been speculated to be Real Madrid, and it appears practically clear that he will leave Paris next summer when his contract expires.
However, it appears that a move to the Santiago Bernabeu is not imminent, with the 70-time international even taking to Twitter to dismiss any notion that he would quit the French champions during the off-season. “LIES…,” he said.At the same time, the larger it is, the faster it moves. I’ve already stated that I would return to PSG next season, where I am quite happy.”
Instead, the forward has been spending his summer away from the game, including an emotional journey to Cameroon in July, when he was met by hundreds of well-wishers. His father is from the nation, and supporters dressed in PSG jerseys had gathered at Yaounde’s airport to greet him as he stepped out of the terminal.
Smiling at the throng, France’s superstar toasted his fans before departing in an SUV to his hotel in the nation’s capital. Following that, the striker visited a school for deaf children, as well as Djebale, the village where his father Wilfried was born.
PSG’s talisman also made the most of his time off after another arduous Ligue 1 season by attending a party hosted by millionaire Fanatics founder Michael Rubin on Long Island in New York. The forward has been spotted with celebrities such as Tom Brady, Kendall Jenner, Justin Bieber, Jay Z, and Beyonce, as well as Kim Kardashian.
According to the Mirror, Kardashian and Mbappe are presently conversing and have been “flirty” with one other, following reports that she was getting close to NFL legend Tom Brady.
The reality TV actress, who was formerly married to hip hop artist Kanye West, has apparently maintained touch with the striker, with Heat Magazine reporting that insiders claim the couple have been chatting since their meeting in the United States.
Whether the superstars will eventually become an official couple remains to be known, but Mbappe has returned to training with PSG in the hopes of finally winning the Champions League next season. If this is his final season in his hometown, he will undoubtedly want to go on a strong note.
Legendary names such as Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos left Paris at the end of last season, but fresh arrivals at Parc Des Princes include former Real Madrid midfielder Marco Asensio. PSG begin their Ligue 1 campaign against Toulouse, hoping to reclaim the trophy.
