While Kylian Mbappe might be illuminating the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, having guided France to another final, his younger brother made his debut for Paris Saint-Germain.
Mbappe is preparing for his second successive World Cup final at Lusail Iconic Stadium on Sunday against Argentina, with the PSG star forward almost set to clean all major individual trophies in the tournament, should his side lift back-to-back Jules Rimet trophies.
As the spotlight is on him at the moment, having ridded challenges in the second goal against Morocco in the semi-final, Ethan Mbappé, 15, his young brother, made his first appearance for Les Parisiens’ first team by replacing Spanish international midfielder Fabian Ruiz with 15 minutes left to go in PSG’s friendly match against Paris FC on Friday.
Surely Kylian was watching to see his young brother if ever he will suffer any stage fright, but PSG were already 1-0 by the time he took the field with a goal scored by Nordi Mukiele after 16 minutes.
The PSG squad that had the likes of Sergio Ramos, Juan Bernat, Renato Sanchez, Marco Verratti and Hugo Ekitike, won 2-1 to light up a big day for Ethan.
According to French news: “Ethan’s meteoric rise has impressed youth academy coaches within the PSG system and he has very much achieved this first team appearance on merit, rather than on the basis of his last name.
“Ethan Mbappé is expected to have the opportunity to show his qualities again against Quevilly Rouen, in a friendly, next Wednesday.”
Kylian also lit up the big stage, making his debut at the 16 years 11 months and 12 days on 2 December 2015 with Monaco under Portuguese coach Leonardo Jardim.
Two months later, he scored his first goal as Monaco beat Estac Troyes 3-1. He also scored in the UEFA Champions League against Manchester City in the 5-3 defeat in Manchester on 21 February 2017 at the age 18 years two months and one day, becoming the youngest player to score in the competition.
Mbappe also became one of the youngest players (19) to score in the FIFA World Cup final four years ago against Croatia, matching Pele, who did so in when he was 18 years old in 1958 World Cup final against Sweden.
In the ongoing World Cup finals as France are in their fourth final in the last seven World Cups, Kylian Mbappe is the joint-top scorer with five goals, level with Argentina superstar and PSG teammate Lionel Messi.
Both are also vying for the tournament’s Golden Ball, the trophy awarded to the Player of the Tournament.
