‘Project Mbappe’ has become a popular word among football-obsessed parents who dream of their kids following the footsteps of Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe.
This isn’t surprising, given the extraordinary success the 25-year-old has achieved, having won one World Cup, seven Ligue 1 titles, finished as a runner-up in the Champions League, and seven Ballon d’Or nominations.
However, Mbappé has cautioned parents not to force children into demanding training in hopes of crafting the next football icon.
“Enough, Kylian Mbappé tells you. My parents never put pressure on me. My father never forced me to run laps around the pitch at 6 in the morning,” he said during an interview with Clique TV in France.
“They let me enjoy myself. I had an argument with my parents. I chose it, not my father. My parents put pressure on me at school; football must have come from them. Maybe the boy only wants to play for one year. Leave the boy alone.
“Young people should not have to dream about being me. Because the meaning of a dream is to have no limits. I didn’t dream about anyone. I dreamed about being great.”
Mbappé also revealed that he would have extended his contract at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and given up his dream of playing for Real Madrid in order to support his brother, Ethan, in his career.
During the summer before his switch to Real Madrid, Mbappé was embroiled in a transfer saga with PSG after he announced his intention not to extend his contract with the French giants. He was subsequently left out of the squad travelling to Metz for the final league game of the 2023/2024 season.
He said, “It could have happened. It’s what affected me the most. His Real Madrid was PSG. And indirectly, I took it away from him. He told me that he didn’t want to stay, that it wasn’t normal for them to do that to me.
“I told him: if you want to stay, I’ll renew and we’ll stay for a while. I would have given up my dream of Madrid for him. Ethan is my brother, you can’t touch him. What’s the point of signing for the best club in the world if you end your brother’s career?” Mbappe asked.
The French forward added that he has always ‘dreamed of playing for Madrid.’
“I have always dreamed of Real Madrid. Always. Always. Always. I don’t know when or how, but I knew I was going to play here. I have a good visual memory. The day before the presentation, there was a three-hour briefing, and I had to translate for my mother and father. It was exhausting.
“The next day, you have your first human contact with the boys, I met the coach. Then we went to the Bernabéu; Zizou was there and the public welcomed me like a king. The president speaks for you.”
Mbappé has acknowledged a challenging start to his journey at Real Madrid but has vowed to bounce back in the second half of the season.
“It hasn’t been the best start to the season, but we are preparing for the trophies that will count. We have already won the European Super Cup. We haven’t lived up to our expectations, but at Real Madrid we are looking forward to the second half of the season. That’s when you will be judged.”
