There Are No Limits To What Kylian Mbappe Can Achieve

France’s victory over Croatia – and the manner in which this superb and frantic finale unfolded at the atmospheric Luzhniki Stadium – provided a captivating end to what has been a thrilling and emphatic tournament. 

This past month in Russia, fans have witnessed a showpiece, huge entertainment underpinned by some superb organisation. Many thought this tournament will not be as successful as it has been because of the controversy surrounding the whole nation. Despite all of that, once the first game kicked off between Egypt and Saudi Arabia four weeks ago, much of the off-field issues had been forgotten. This years tournament has significantly, provided a feast of football filled with elements of surprise, thrills, VAR controversies, epic encounters and most of all spectacular goals which arguably makes this the most entertaining and exciting World Cup of the modern era.

Sunday’s finale had everything you wanted in a final – the highest scoring final since England won it against West Germany in 1966. A whole lifetime ago. France and Croatia entered the epic showpiece with so much riding on it for both teams. Yes, Croatia may have scraped their way through the whole knockout stages but it is the grit and determination that won over fans and neutrals – its what you need in such a frenetic and action packed tournament.

The so called ‘golden generation’ of the Croatian game were engulfed with the pressure of making their mark in the history books. Players such as Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Mario Mandzukic and Ivan Perisic. These are players enjoying much success with their respective clubs but this World Cup being probably their last, it was their chance to match and top the heights of the 1998 Croatian side who stunned the whole world only to be defeated by France who went on to win it. The last time a hugely talented France had lifted the much coveted trophy, capturing and making their mark on the grandest stage of them all.

Didier Deschamps – who was the captain of that World Cup winning side in 1998 – and his men came into this World Cup looking for redemption, some reclamation and closure as much as anything else after the disappointment of losing the Euro 2016 final in front of their own fans in Paris. France had everything in their favor on that pleasant July night at the Stade de France – home support, the status of favourites and an early injury to the mighty Cristiano Ronaldo – everything was set up for France to achieve the unachievable until they bottled it in extra-time. They choked at the last hurdle as Portugal’s Eder stunned the world if not the whole of Europe. Didier Deschamps conservatism coming back to haunt him as Portugal dug deep and grinded out a victory – so often as they had done throughout the whole tournament.

This meant the pressure and heat was on for Deschamps and his talented squad to wipe away the scars from that night by claiming the World’s greatest prize. And they impressively achieved that goal with some of the finest and most rugged of performances you’ll ever see from such an exciting group of players. Throughout the final showpiece against Croatia, Deschamps side had to dig deep and overcome bombardment from a highly motivated and fearsome Croatian side. A winning combination of all round power, efficiency – sprinkled with the sort of stardust that the likes of Germany, Spain, Argentina and Portugal failed to acquire throughout. The kind that makes all the difference at this elite level.

Hugo Lloris, despite the odd mistake, is still regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world at this moment while the central defensive partnerships of Raphael Varane and Samuel Umtiti have been absolutely brilliant carrying their impressive club forms into the tournament. A partnership that could grace another two or three major tournaments to come. In midfield, the likes of N’golo Kante, Blaise Matuidi and Paul Pogba represent the mix of doggedness, hard work and incredible fluency that graces this majestic French side, but it is in attack where France have the “X-factor”.

Antoine Griezmann is a world class operator – canny, quick, fearless and holds the knack of scoring incredible goals when it matters most. A ruthless edge in front of goal, this was the moment the Atletico Madrid superstar had been coveting for so long – that defining moment that would place him on the pedal stall amongst the greats of this generation such as Ronaldo and Lionel Messi – players who have not had the privilege and grace to lift such a prestigious trophy. Olivier Giroud, despite his not so impressive stats in the tournament, he is a hugely reliable source for Deschamps. His tall physique and hard-working style so endearing to the French coach. Add into the mix, Thomas Lemar, Nabil Fekir, Ousmane Dembele and France have an attack to die for.

And then there is the golden boy, the young kid who has mightily impressed at this grandest stage despite his tender age of 19 years – Kylian Mbappe. The boy destined for greatness, his stature, skills and unerring talents is the key factor as to why this France squad so exciting and pleasing to the eye. Bursting onto the scene two seasons ago with Monaco as he led them to an impressive Ligue 1 title triumph which was then followed by a world record move to arch rivals Paris Saint-Germain which he was then rewarded with another Ligue 1 triumph – his second in a row. Not only in the league did Kylian Mbappe gather a medal for his efforts but also in the Coupe de France, picking up his third medal in two seasons. To put it simply, Kylian Mbappe has had an incredible two-and-a-half years.

If Kylian Mbappe hasn’t made a name for himself before this summer then his antics throughout the grandest stage has certainly made the whole world stand up and take notice at this potential world beater. No one should dare to write premature obituaries to the greats of this generation such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo who both bowed out of the competition earlier than expected considering the stature of both their respective countries, and the latter will now be plying his trade in Italy with Juventus – a move further re-iterating Ronaldo’s desire to remain relevant despite his age at 33.

Lionel Messi is still only 31 and will grace the game for much longer although much will be said and debated whether the Barcelona magician will ever grace a World Cup stage once again. When the guard is ready to change and the baton of being the World’s greatest is about to change hands then Messi and Ronaldo can look no further than Kylian Mbappe – showing already at the age of 19 that he will be a worthy torch bearer for many years to come. Argue of this comment what you will, but Mbappe can dominate the world stage or even the Ballon d’or within the next lets say, 15 years? He has that guile, the panache, the trickery, maturity and the character to achieve that feat.

Mbappe was not an unknown quantity coming into this World Cup, having already impressed at Monaco and now at Paris Saint-Germain. When he expertly notched France’s fourth goal against Croatia – at 19 years and 207 days – he became the second youngest goalscorer at a World Cup final, the feat only bettered by the legendary Brazilian Pele, heard of him? He holds the records having scored against Sweden in the 1958 final at just 17 years old.

Mbappe’s thrilling mixture and blend of electric pace, brilliant finishing and youthful exuberance means he can become a worthy Ballon d’or competitor to fellow Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Neymar. And for a footballer so young, Mbappe has the temperament of a man who has already experienced enough hardships in life. Not only that, but his maturity and humbleness despite the growing nature of the paparazzi who will now be following his every move. On the pitch, he performs like a man already in his prime – and he’s only 19, imagine Mbappe when he reaches the age of twenty-four or twenty-five. Frightening to comprehend.

Throughout the tournament, his decision making and composure has been second to none. His two goals in the last-16 against Argentina further emphasizing his rapid growth and immense ability in front of goal. This boy has it all.

What about his finish against Croatia. Unerring. The way in which he shaped himself to shoot, steadying himself in a way that very few players can only dream of at the biggest of stages. Many young players Mbappe’s age will struggle to cope with the atmosphere, the buzz of playing in a World Cup final but during the anthem singing, Mbappe had a smile on his face representing the bravery and excitement at which he performs on the pitch. No doubt about it, when Mbappe is on the pitch he is absolutely fun to watch, a joy to behold.

The Daily Telegraph’s chief football correspondent Jason Burt stated on the World Cup Sunday Supplement that the French forward could win the Ballon d’or three or four times over the next 10 years.

“Mbappe is already their (France) best player at 19. I reckon he’s already worth £300m, he is just a phenomenal player. PSG are paying £160m-odd for him, but he’s 19 and he’s taking teams apart. He’s only going to get better and he will win the Ballon d’Or three or four times in the next 10 years, I’m absolutely convinced of that. He will probably be at PSG for a while then Real Madrid will come in for him and he’ll be a world superstar.”

Much will be stated whether Mbappe can achieve that greatness at Paris Saint-Germain, considering their below par appearances in the Champions League in recent years. And a similar form and showing in the most elite competiton at club level could take Mbappe to that next level – breaking the Ronaldo and Lionel Messi Ballon d’or routine. If there is one man capable of breaking that duck, it is Kylian Mbappe. Could we see him in a Real Madrid shirt in future? It is looking ever-so likely, playing for Real Madrid gives you that pedal stall, that platform in which your every move on the pitch is studied and analysed – one that Cristiano Ronaldo has successfully graced over the years. That could be Mbappe’s platform too. The pressure of performing at probably the biggest club in world football certainly cannot faze the young man.

Nonetheless, Kylian Mbappe is at the beginning of what potentially looks like a remarkable career, and with his stellar showings throughout this summers tournament, he certainly confirmed to the whole world that a new star is born. There is simply no limits to what Kylian Mbappe can achieve.