Kylian Mbappé’s father opens up: “My son left home at 12 and never came back”

Kylian Mbappé’s path to soccer greatness hasn’t been easy. 

The French superstar had to make life-changing decisions from a very young age. On Friday, his father Wilfrid Mbappé spoke on the French television show “C à vous,” sharing the personal sacrifices that paved the way for Kylian to become one of the best players in the world. Success at Real Madrid and with the French national team didn’t come without a cost.

Mbappé sacrifices: “So many moments we didn’t share”

“I want to stress the sacrifices,” Wilfrid said. “We’re talking about what it takes, on a human level, to have a child who plays soccer professionally. I watched Kylian leave home at 12 or 13 years old.”

He continued, “People don’t realize. Now that he’s a finished product, sure, they say, ‘He became this,’ or ‘He became that.’ But there are so many things we didn’t have. So many things we can never replace. So many moments we didn’t share. Nowadays, who has children only to lose them at 13 or 14? No one. No parent can say, ‘My child left home at 13 and never came back.’ That’s what happened to us. It’s his journey, it’s a beautiful story, but when I explain it to other parents… they don’t understand. People just can’t grasp it. He was already playing at Monaco with champions.”

From Deschamps to Zidane: France’s coaching future

Wilfrid also shared his thoughts on the French national team’s coaching situation, reflecting on the departure of Didier Deschamps and the potential arrival of Zinedine Zidane.

“I don’t know if he’s the ideal candidate, but he’d be very good,” Wilfrid said. “We’ll know more later, but it’s going to be hard to follow in Deschamps’ footsteps. Right now, people will find many faults, but once he leaves, everyone will recognize his qualities. We shouldn’t forget what he’s achieved or the legacy he leaves behind. And if it’s Zidane, we’ll all be happy.”

Zidane “a truly wonderful person”

Wilfrid also recalled a moment from Kylian’s childhood when Zidane was still playing at Real Madrid. “Kylian, as a kid, was loud and cheerful. When this man opened the door… bam! He gestured for him to be quiet, and Kylian went silent. From that day, I saw him differently. He’s a truly wonderful person. There are people you only know from TV, and when you meet them, you’re disappointed. Zidane is the exact opposite,” Wilfrid admitted.