It was no surprise to see Kylian Mbappe splashed across the front page of Le Parisien on Wednesday or, for that matter, a cartoon of him inside dressed as Superman.
‘The Metamorphosis of Mbappe’ proclaimed the headline above an extensive analysis of how the most exciting prospect in world football has developed after joining Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth £160million.
‘A year ago, we reproached him for his individualism, his arrogance, his nervousness in moments of stress,’ read an accompanying editorial. ‘Now he knows how to play collectively, to show modesty and seems impervious to pressure and provocation. At 20-years-old, Kylian Mbappe has already become a perfect gentleman, a French superhero.’
Kylian Mbappe wasn't at his best as Paris Saint-Germain were knocked out on Wednesday
Mbappe had a hand in PSG's goal but was not at his dynamic, devastating best
High praise indeed, even for a player of such enormous potential and a World Cup winner last summer at the age of 19.
The young man raised 17 miles away from Parc des Princes in the north-east suburb of Bondy is becoming a man. That growth has accelerated over the last year – half an inch in height and a substantial amount in muscle, we are told – but many in France would argue particularly so in the last month.
When Edinson Cavani joined Neymar on the sidelines on February 9, there were fears that the third and youngest member of PSG’s attacking triumvirate might struggle to shoulder the burden on his own.
The France international was unable to prevent PSG from going out to Manchester United
Until last night, it really wasn’t much of a problem. Seven goals in five games, taking his total for the season to 28, included the second at Old Trafford last month when Mbappe’s quite ridiculous pace carried him past Eric Bailly and
