On this day, 6 years ago, Kylian Mbappé scored the first brace of his career in the Champions League with Monaco against Dortmund!
He was 18-years young..
The 2016/2017 season is one fondly remembered by AS Monaco and their supporters, for Les Monegasques were crowned Ligue 1 champions and remarkably reached the Champions League semi finals.
This memorable campaign also held a particularly strong significance for then teenage sensation, Kylian Mbappe, who enjoyed a breathtaking breakthrough crusade. Having made his first team debut for the Red and Whites during the previous season, he really kicked on, with his dynamism and unpredictability wreaking havoc on defenses both domestically and in Europe.
Notching an outstanding 26 goals and 14 assists in his 44 Monaco appearances, he was a major force to be reckoned with. His exploits in the Champions League deserved special mention, however, with his six goals in nine matches especially catching the eye. Finding the back of the net against some of Europe’s elite including in both legs against Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City, plus vs. Juventus is their semi, Mbappe took the competition by storm.
Named in the UEFA Champions League team of the year and performing at a similar level to the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala, there was no denying what an impact he had.
His magnificent, game changing efforts against Borussia Dortmund in Monaco’s quarter-final first leg win was certainly an outing to savor. Bagging a brace and displaying so many of the characteristics that make him such a devastating opponent to stop, the Frenchman was superb in the 3-2 triumph.
Despite being just 18 at the time, Mbappe’s mature performance belied his tender years, with him looking right at home on the big stage, unfazed by the occasion.