Kylian Mbappé, a Future World Great

If you know anything about football, then you'll know that world class young talent like Kylian Mbappé are rare and need to be treasured. Having lit up the French league for the past 2 seasons, he's stepped out onto the world stage to prove just how good he really is.

Being so young in the beautiful game can result in you getting pushed down the pecking order and being walked all over. That hasn't been the case for Mbappé, although he's had to graft to be where he is today, he's one of the first names on the team sheet for both club and country.

Mbappé is just 19 years old, born on the 20th of December 1998, he wasn't even alive to see his own nation win the World Cup that very same year. Kylian Mbappé represents everything good in football, a youngster who is down to earth, determined and a role model for other youngsters across the globe.

He started his career at a small club on the outskirts of Paris called AS Bondy, being coached by his father, Kylian Mbappé has always been family oriented and kept his feet firmly on the ground. He then managed a move to Clairefontaine Academy where after a few impressive performances he attracted the attention of clubs all across France as well as Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Liverpool and Bayern Munich. At 11 years old, he even took a trial at Chelsea, playing in one of their youth games against Charlton Athletic. However, he settled his football career at Monaco with the promise of first team football when he has earned his place.

After years of working hard and earning his place in the club as any youngster must do in today's game, the 2016/17 season is when we all saw the beginning of Kylian Mbappé's career spark. He scored 26 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions. Of course this immediately got the attention of clubs from around the world, however, Kylian Mbappé had his eyes set on one club to really develop his game and that was PSG. Monaco refused to sell him to league rivals PSG, so settled on a loan deal where he played out his 2017/18 campaign. He again had a remarkable season, scoring 21 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions.

What makes Kylian Mbappé so great is his ability to play quality football for both club and country. That's something only a few can do in the world, he's still got a long way to go as of yet, but from what we've seen of him in this current World Cup, football fans believe he could be the next very best.

France are in the final of the World Cup and will be facing either Croatia or England depending on how their semi-final plays out. Mbappé has been a crucial part to the French team, taking the number 10 shirt, he's really made it his own. Scoring 3 goals in 6 World Cup games to help get France to the final, he real shining performance came against Argentina. Kylian Mbappé lit up the field and outplayed everyone on the pitch, scoring 2 goals and winning a penalty for teammate Antoine Griezmann. France beat Argentina 4-3 getting them into the quarter finals. Many thought that for a youngster, inexperienced on the national stage coming up against players such as Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Rojo and Javier Mascherano would put him off his game, whereas quite the opposite happened. Facing the tough opposition, Mbappé just seemed to enjoy himself and play better, he was such a joy to watch for not just French fans but football fans.

On a more personal level, I feel close to Mbappé. Having never met him and probably never will, it sounds stupid to say, but I do. Being just over a month younger than me, I can relate to his age and the way he would think and how he would be. Of course not his footballing ability, but playing the game myself, I find Mbappé a pleasure to watch and just knowing that he's a 19 year old lad like myself, a decent kid with his feet firmly on the ground, showing the world just how good he is pleases me. It's a joy for my generation to be able to support and back Mbappé in his career as he is showing everyone that it's not about where you're from or how much money you earn. As long as you work hard, stay hungry and keep grounded, you can make it anywhere in this world.

I wish Kylian Mbappé the very best in the remainder of this tournament and the rest of his prospect career because I know I'll be following him wherever he goes. Remember the name, Kylian Mbappé.