10 times Kylian Mbappé stunned the world with his football genius

He is one of the best players in the world right now, if not the best. At 24, Kylian Mbappé has established himself as the boss of the Paris-Saint-Germain squad. A great playmaker and a critical finisher… The French striker seems to be everywhere, proving his talent in the current Champions League season with some great displays of football.  

Mbappe proved to be crucial against LOSC during their February fixture in Pac de Princes, ending in a 4-3 victory for PSG. He later topped his performance with another great display of football against Olympique de Marseille, ranking first in assists, further proving his versatility. 

On March 4th, Kylian Mbappé became the all-time leading goal scorer for the Parisian club, with a remarkable 201 goals scored, passing Edison Cavani. To celebrate, let's look at 10 moments Mbappe shocked the world with his football genius. 

If you don't remember the first time you heard of Kylian Mbappé, it may have been on December 14th, 2016. The 17-year-old striker started against Renner, in the knockout stages of the Coupe de France. A rivalry that is taken very seriously by AS Monaco. 

During the match, Monaco came out in full force leaving Rennes no room to breathe. With Guido Carrillo, Mbappe would go on to score two goals in 21 minutes before driving the point home in the 62nd minute. The final result was 7-0, where the French striker claimed his first hat trick.

During the Champions League fixture against Manchester City, the whole of Europe discovered Kylian Mbappé. AS Monaco traveled to Manchester to face Pep Guardiola's domineering team. With Sergio Aguero, Kevin de Bruyne, Yaya Touré, Leroy Sané, and Raheem Sterling, their lineup was incredible.

Facing the Sky Blue armada, there is a very promising young team: AS Monaco of Radamel Falcao, Bernardo Silva, Fabinho, Thomas Lemar, and Kylian Mbappé. His Champions League debut was a high-class display of top-flight European football.

At 18 years old, the AS Monaco striker became the second youngest striker to score a goal in the Champions League. Three weeks later, on March 15th, he did it again and allowed Monaco to achieve a victory at Louis II and qualify with a 3-1 victory. 

In the 2016-2017 edition of the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Borussia Dortmund, Mbappé left his mark on the match, with a successful penalty kick and a double on top of that. The German giants were left blushing. 

The following week, AS Monaco, validated their qualification for the Champions League semi-final at Louis II thanks to a goal from Mbappé. With six goals in six starts, the 18-year-old began to show the world the extent of his talent. Incredible speed, dribbling, and finishing qualities made him a hot pick. 

How could we forget this legendary match? On June 30th, 2018, the French national team faced Lionel Messi's Argentina in the round of 16 during the World Cup. Sluggish performances on the group stage forced the Blues to put on a show against the Argentines. Kylian Mbappe wasted no time and relentlessly countered his opponents. 

After a 50-meter run, he falls in the box after contact with Marcos Rojo. Thanks to a penalty converted by Antoine Griezmann, France lead 1-0. Jostled, the Blues saw Argentina take the score at the start of the second half. Nevertheless,  after a wonder goal from Pavard, the two teams stood 2-2.

At this moment, Mbappe kicks into another gear. The 19-year-old scored two goals in four minutes and completely demoralized the Argentinians. Despite Aguero's late goal, the French national team would go on to win the game and move forward in the competition.

It's the World Cup final and the then-19-year-old Mbappé is the center of attention. After eliminating Uruguay and Belgium, the Blues faced Croatia in the final. After a complicated first half with a 2-1 score, the second half would seal the outcome of the match for France. 

With two goals in six minutes, France stunned the Croatian squad. First Paul Pogba scored before a cross-shot from Kylian Mbappé in the 65th minute. The Blues conquered the World Cup.

Transferred to Paris Saint Germain for a whopping $192mn during the summer 2017 transfer window. Kylian Mbappé did not lose any time to find his rhythm in the Parisian club. In an attack made up of Neymar, Edinson Cavani, and Angel Di Maria, the Frenchman begins to shine. 

PSG leading the table, and Kylian Mbappé craving goals against their Lyon rivals, started the show at the hour mark. In fifteen minutes, Mbappé scored four goals against Olympic Lyonnais. He became the youngest French player to ever score four goals in a game. 

Four years after the famous comeback, PSG finds FC Barcelona in the round of 16 of the Champions League. At Camp Nou, the Parisians are deprived of Neymar Jr and line up an attack composed of Kylian Mbappé, Mauro Icardi, and Moïse Kean. Despite a reshuffled squad, the Parisians came out for vengeance. 

With a hat trick, Mbappé tames Barcelona. His impressive speed and his finishing was lethal. He humiliated Gérard Piqué throughout the match and allowed his team to win 4-1.

After eliminating FC Barcelona, the Parisians faced the great Bayern Munich. Under the snow, Thomas Tuchel's men offered their supporters an unforgettable. Kylian Mbappé opened the score early by tricking Manuel Neur into an easy goal. 

While the score is 2-2 on the hour mark, Mbappé takes responsibility for the attack. Perfectly launched by Angel Di Maria, the striker will deceive Jérôme Boateng and Manuel Neuer to afford a double and allow PSG to win at the Allianz Arena. 

Arguably one of the best European rivals to date, PSG faced the great whites. After a solid performance in Paris ending in a 1-0 victory, Mbappé knew he would have a target on his back in the Bernabeu. With ongoing transfer rumors regarding the French striker and the Spanish giant, it made the match a whole lot better.

While rumors claim that Mbappé would leave for Madrid during the next transfer window, the 23-year-old showed no mercy to 'Los Blancos'. The French striker was unstoppable and scored in the 39th minute. Nevertheless, the Parisians fell short in a jaw-dropping comeback by Real Madrid, further heating the Mbappé rumors. 

Despite PSG's elimination at the Bernabeu, Kylian Mbappé once again delivered a great performance with three goals, two of which were disallowed due to offside. Everything was pointing at Kylian and his soon-to-be new club, Real Madrid,  however, he decided to extend his contract with PSG.

The 2022 World Cup final is probably one of the greatest matches in football history. The scenario was like something out of a Hollywood movie, except it didn't quite turn out for the brilliant French striker, despite his valiant efforts. 

While completely missing out on their match and being devoured by Lionel Messi's Argentina, the French team came back in the 80th minute thanks to Kylian Mbappé's penalty. Two minutes later, madness takes hold of the stadium. On a magnificent cross volley, Kylian Mbappé equalized and took France into extra time.

30 more minutes, 30 minutes to make football history.  Lionel Messi would go on to score twice in the 108th minute in order to rally the Argentines. However, in the 118th minute, the Blues gain a penalty, converted by Mbappé. The PSG striker also scores his shot on goal during the session. Four goals in one game will not be enough. France is defeated but Mbappé proves himself to be a fighter.