Despite its proximity to the city centre, Bondy bears little resemblance to the grandeur and affluence of the Champs-Élysées.
It is part of the infamous Seine St Denis 93rd arrondissement – one of the France’s poorest neighbourhoods which over the years has earned a reputation for sky-high crime rates and violence. But football provides a select few talented and hardworking youngsters from the ’93’ a source of hope.
And it just so happened that Mbappé’s father Wilfried was a coach at local club AS Bondy, a team in the 10th tier of French football.
Knowing the opportunity that lay ahead of his son, Wilfried strapped a pair of football boots onto Kylian’s feet at age five and took him to his first training session.
A young Kylian Mbappé is pictured with Portuguese mega-star Cristiano Ronaldo in 2014
This undated photo shows French footballing legend Thierry Henry with a young Mbappé
Fourteen year old Kylian Mbappé at home in his bedroom in Bondy, a suburb of Paris, adorned with photos of Cristiano Ronaldo
Kylian Mbappé of France and Paris Saint-Germain wins the Kopa Trophy for best young player at the Ballon D’Or ceremony at Le Grand Palais on December 3, 2018 in Paris, France
Just four years later, Mbappé knew he was destined to be one of the world’s best and along with his family had elucidated a plan to get there, according to French football journalist Ronan Boscher.
Wilfried may have got Mbappé started on the football field, but his mother, Fayza Lamari, was a professional handball player who played for the French national team and had an intimate knowledge of the rigours of what goes on behind the scenes of top level sport.
Together, Mbappé’s parents doubled as agents and representatives for their son, helping him to negotiate deals and guide his development to the top flight of French football.
Even after Mbappé signed with superagency WME in June of this year, his parents still maintain an active role in his entourage, with mother Fayza remaining particularly outspoken in her pride for her son and her opinions on his career.
With outstanding talent, a fervent work rate and parents devoted to building his career, it should come as no surprise then that Mbappé has become one of the world’s best players.
‘It is better to target the moon. That way, if you fail, you get to the clouds,’ a teenage Mbappé once told interviewers.
It has not taken long for this footballing comet to soar.
Kylian Mbappé and Brazilian football legend Pele pose together ahead of a meeting in Paris, France, 2019. Mbappé’s charitable foundation Inspired by KM sponsored the event
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Despite its proximity to the city centre, Bondy bears little resemblance to the grandeur and affluence of the Champs-Élysées.
It is part of the infamous Seine St Denis 93rd arrondissement – one of the France’s poorest neighbourhoods which over the years has earned a reputation for sky-high crime rates and violence. But football provides a select few talented and hardworking youngsters from the ’93’ a source of hope.
And it just so happened that Mbappé’s father Wilfried was a coach at local club AS Bondy, a team in the 10th tier of French football.
Knowing the opportunity that lay ahead of his son, Wilfried strapped a pair of football boots onto Kylian’s feet at age five and took him to his first training session.
A young Kylian Mbappé is pictured with Portuguese mega-star Cristiano Ronaldo in 2014
This undated photo shows French footballing legend Thierry Henry with a young Mbappé
Fourteen year old Kylian Mbappé at home in his bedroom in Bondy, a suburb of Paris, adorned with photos of Cristiano Ronaldo
Kylian Mbappé of France and Paris Saint-Germain wins the Kopa Trophy for best young player at the Ballon D’Or ceremony at Le Grand Palais on December 3, 2018 in Paris, France
Just four years later, Mbappé knew he was destined to be one of the world’s best and along with his family had elucidated a plan to get there, according to French football journalist Ronan Boscher.
Wilfried may have got Mbappé started on the football field, but his mother, Fayza Lamari, was a professional handball player who played for the French national team and had an intimate knowledge of the rigours of what goes on behind the scenes of top level sport.
Together, Mbappé’s parents doubled as agents and representatives for their son, helping him to negotiate deals and guide his development to the top flight of French football.
Even after Mbappé signed with superagency WME in June of this year, his parents still maintain an active role in his entourage, with mother Fayza remaining particularly outspoken in her pride for her son and her opinions on his career.
With outstanding talent, a fervent work rate and parents devoted to building his career, it should come as no surprise then that Mbappé has become one of the world’s best players.
‘It is better to target the moon. That way, if you fail, you get to the clouds,’ a teenage Mbappé once told interviewers.
It has not taken long for this footballing comet to soar.
Kylian Mbappé and Brazilian football legend Pele pose together ahead of a meeting in Paris, France, 2019. Mbappé’s charitable foundation Inspired by KM sponsored the event
