We continue our top 100 players 21 and under with the World Class category. These players are grouped by talents who who are capable of one day challenging for the Ballon d’Or.
Name: Kylian Mbappe
Club: Paris Saint-Germain
Age: 19
Position: Forward
Strengths: Blistering pace, dribbling, end product
Weaknesses: Hold-up play, timing of runs, defensive contribution
Style: Arguably the finest young talent in football at this moment in time, Kylian Mbappe is renowned for his searing pace and mesmerising trickery. His phenomenal ability facilitated a meteoric rise at Monaco before a high-profile move to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer. In the French capital, he’s been deployed alongside a prolific striker in Edinson Cavani and a Ballon d’Or hopeful in Neymar. Stunningly though, he hasn’t looked out of place, even overshadowing his more experienced team-mates at times. Apart from his unquestionable talent on the ball, it’s his intelligent forward runs and clever link-up play which sets him apart from other budding stars. The Frenchman has good understanding of the movement required to get in behind the opposition while the composure he shows in front of goal belies his years. Given his effectiveness in the air as well, Mbappe is a near-perfect modern forward. While he’s no target man and hold-up play isn’t his forte, the youngster holds his own on the pitch and is not easily bullied off possession.
What’s been said about him:
Paul Pogba: “Kylian has much more talent than I have. Do you see what he is doing at his age? No, I never had his talent.”
Gianluigi Buffon: “Mbappe is an incredible talent and also seems like a good kid, so that will really help his career and I hope it’ll be a luminous career, at that.”
Thierry Henry: “I don’t like comparing players – Mbappe has to become Mbappe and that is all. But my word, he is good. Ooh la la. l really like watching him play.”
Forecast for 2019: Mbappe already has two Ligue 1 titles to his name and not only won football’s greatest prize this summer, but starred during the World Cup in Russia as well, picking up the award for Best Young Player. He is no longer playing sidekick to Neymar. He’s the real deal and mounting a challenge to be PSG’s main man is well warranted. He already has nine goals and three assists this season – surpassing Neymar’s numbers. Mbappe must target strong displays in the Champions League and help PSG to fulfill their dream of a first European crown, establishing himself as a genuine Ballon d’Or contender in the process.
