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In an exclusive conversation with FourFourTwo, ESPN journalist Julien Laurens shares insights into how Kylian Mbappe carved a distinctive path to footballing greatness — and why the French captain’s story is far from over.

“I’ve been following Kylian’s journey since he was around 11 or 12,” Laurens recalls. “I still remember a friend in Paris telling me, ‘There’s this kid completely dominating at grassroots level — you have to see him.’ Paris might be a big city, but the local football community is tight-knit, especially among young players.”

Laurens first saw Mbappe — who would go on to captain France and star for Real Madrid — playing for Bondy, his shirt hanging loosely on his small frame. Despite being two years younger than most of his teammates, he completely outclassed the opposition. From there, Laurens tracked his progress through Clairefontaine and Monaco, and later documented his rise through a biography. “He was clearly gifted, a prodigy, but what stood out was his mindset. His family also played a huge role — not pushy, but focused and aware of his special talent, both as a footballer and as a person.”

Mbappe represented something new for French football: a fully formed superstar even as a teenager. Much of that comes down to his family’s sporting background — his father was a grassroots-level player, coach, and sporting director at Bondy; his mother was a professional handball player; and his stepbrother Jires Kembo-Ekoko was a professional footballer. “Among the many Parisian prodigies — from Thierry Henry to Hatem Ben Arfa and Nicolas Anelka — none seemed as ready or as focused as Kylian,” Laurens explains. “Henry was driven too, but his upbringing was different. With Kylian and his dad, it’s a partnership, almost a fusion.”

Laurens notes that while previous French wonderkids had immense talent, Mbappe’s journey was unusually structured. “Even as a 12-year-old playing local matches for Bondy, scouts from Manchester City, Real Madrid, PSG, and Monaco were always there — every weekend. He even knew their names. That’s how closely they followed him.”

By the time Mbappe was 12, discussions about his future were already serious. “He could have gone anywhere,” Laurens says. “Any major English, Spanish, or German club would have taken him, but his family believed in a clear path. Clairefontaine was key — it offered both football and academic grounding.” After that, the focus was on finding a club that could integrate him into the first team by 16 or 17. “That’s why Monaco made sense — it offered a direct path. Real Madrid would’ve been too big a leap at that stage.”

Even when the option to join Real Madrid was on the table at 18, Mbappe’s family decided it was premature. “They could have earned more money earlier, but that was never the main motivation,” Laurens notes. “It was always about the right move at the right time.”

Laurens points out that Mbappe learned from earlier generations. “He saw what players like Henry, Anelka, and Jérémie Aliadière did, and also observed friends who went abroad too early and struggled. He didn’t want that. He had examples to follow — and avoid.”

On whether the World Cup accelerated his growth, Laurens is clear: “You don’t choose when a World Cup comes. He always wanted stardom. He can’t live a normal life now — can’t just go out for bread or visit the cinema — but that’s the life he chose. If you told 10-year-old Kylian he could win the World Cup at 19, he’d take it immediately. He’s never been one to wait.”

Mbappe once famously said on TV: “Don’t talk to me about age.” Laurens believes that sums him up perfectly. “If you’re good enough, you play — be it the Champions League, the World Cup, or Real Madrid. He was born ready.”

Laurens adds that Mbappe’s hunger to be the best mirrors icons like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. “He’s incredibly intelligent, but above all, he’s driven by ambition and the desire to be number one. That’s what sets him apart.”

Despite immense fame, Laurens believes Mbappe hasn’t changed much. “He’s richer, more successful, and the world sees him differently. But as he says, ‘I haven’t changed — everything around me has.’ He still watches football constantly, plays video games, and maintains the same close circle. The difference is the massive media scrutiny.”

Laurens praises Mbappe’s maturity: “He’s more careful with words and actions now because everything is filmed or analysed. But his family remains his anchor — his parents visit Madrid often, and he’s very close to them and his extended family.”

Laurens admits Mbappe’s confidence can be mistaken for arrogance. “That’s just part of being Parisian,” he smiles. “He’s fascinating — obsessed with success and performance. People like him, like Ronaldo or Jordan, are just wired differently.”

Laurens recalls speaking to João Moutinho, who compared 18-year-old Mbappe to a young Cristiano Ronaldo at Sporting. “He was incredible even then,” Moutinho said. Laurens notes: “At Clairefontaine, Mbappe wasn’t the best in year one, but by year two, he dominated everyone. That’s who he is — relentlessly competitive.”

Now, as Mbappe faces criticism for the first time in his career, Laurens believes it will only fuel him. “He’s scored 41 goals in 42 games this season. Sure, we can debate his defensive work rate — his mother jokes he didn’t defend at four, so he won’t start now — but that’s not what defines him. You don’t expect him to press like Cavani or Dembele. What matters is his leadership and ability to win games single-handedly.”

Laurens also recalls a tough moment early in Mbappe’s career. “At 15, during his first year at Monaco, he clashed with a coach who didn’t believe in him. That’s the only time he didn’t enjoy football — he came home crying. For someone who loves football more than anyone I’ve met, that was hard.”

Regarding current criticism at Real Madrid, Laurens says, “He listens, but it doesn’t hurt him the same way. His attitude is always, ‘You doubt me? I’ll prove you wrong.’ And he usually does.”

“People say he hasn’t won the Champions League or Ballon d’Or yet, but that will come,” Laurens predicts. “Even Ronaldo Nazario didn’t win the Champions League. Mbappe already has as many World Cups as Messi and more than Cristiano. If he stays fit, he has at least two or three more chances to win another.”

Laurens ranks Mbappe among the top three French players ever — alongside Michel Platini and Zinedine Zidane. “He’s already ahead of Thierry Henry, Raymond Kopa, and Antoine Griezmann. In global football, he’s one of the greats already. I wouldn’t be surprised if he finishes with close to 900 career goals and multiple major trophies.”

“If France wins the World Cup this year, he’ll win the Ballon d’Or. Even without a Champions League, what he’s achieved at 27 is extraordinary. For me, he’s the best player in the world right now.”

— Mark White, Content Editor