Who is Randal Kolo Muani, France's breakout football star at Qatar?

He has been called the revelation of the French national team during the 2022 Qatar World Cup. At 24, Randal Kolo Muani has proven his potential to the world, particularly during a very memorable performance at the final match.

However, this story almost didn't happen. Indeed, Randal Kolo Muani was initially not called to play for France at Qatar.

On November 16, 2022, he was called up by Didier Deschamps to replace Christopher Nkunku, injured during training just before the start of the tournament.

The footballer didn't play in the first two games, against Australia and Denmark. Kolo Muani had his debut against Tunisia, where France lost 1-0 but still managed to make a good impression.

Kolo Muani also made himself noticed in the match between France and Morocco. He entered the game on minute 78 and just a few seconds later, he scored a goal for the Bleus. France ultimately would win 2-0.

During the World Cup final against Argentina, French manager Didier Deschamps brought in two young forwards: Kolo Muani and Marcus Thuram.

Entering the field in minute 40 of the game, Randal Kolo Muani's performance at the World Cup final is unforgettable: He became the second player to win the most duels in a final since Italy's Gennaro Gattuso in 2006.

Unfortunately, the image of Martinez stopping Kolo Muani's strike in minute 122 will haunt France's fans for some time to come. The French footballer also managed to score a penalty kick and keep France afloat for a bit longer.

The European team didn't win in the end, but players like Kolo Muani sure made themselves stand out for such great performance, all the way til the end.

Like Mbappé, Kolo Muani hails from the northeastern Parisian suburb of Bondy. Not only that but both of them were born in December 1998. It's as if fate had connected them!

In 2015, when he was only 16, Randal Kolo Muani arrived at FC Nantes. He only played his first league match three years later, on November 30, 2018, against AS Saint-Étienne.

After playing as a loan in the second division to Boulogne-sur-Mer during the 2019-2020 season, Kolo Muani returns to Nantes with the aim of becoming a starter. He quickly established himself as one of the key players in the squad, alongside Ludovic Blas and Moses Simon.

All expectations placed on him paid off during the 2022 season. With 12 goals in France's top professional league, he impressed the public with his consistency and sense of play.

The 2021-2022 season ends in a 1-0 Nantes victory for the Coupe de France against OGC Nice. However, despite this feat, Kolo Muani informed his intention to leave the team.

The footballer joined Eintracht Frankfurt in June 2022. The German team would ultimately win the UEFA Europa League that year, proving that Kolo Muani had made the right choice.

Kolo Muani's stats have been impressive for his first season in the Bundesliga. In his 14 first games, he scored 5 goals and made 9 assists.

Placed at the forefront of the attack, Kolo Muani is not a traditional 9. Unlike Haaland or Lukaku, he excels above all in passing the ball on a silver tray to his teammates. With 9 assists, he is at the top of the ranking of the best assists in the Bundesliga this season.

Randal Kolo Muani's strength is also based on his humility and dedication on the pitch. Very hardworking, he does not hesitate to put himself at the service of the team above personal glory.

Given the quality of their season start, there is no doubt that Frankfurt will receive many offers for their golden boy. Will he stay or will he go? Kolo Muani is still under contract til June 30, 2027.

It is no coincidence that Kolo Muani replaced Christopher Nkunku after his injury during the World Cup. The two players have indeed a fairly similar journey, making themselves names during their debut in their first season in Germany. The Leipzig striker is expected to join Chelsea in July 2023. An inspiration for Kolo Muani?

After the World Cup, Kolo Muani promises to give a stellar performance at UEFA Euro CUP 2024, which will be taking place in Germany.

In any case, one thing is certain: Kolo Muani has become a future star in France. A deserves popularity for a young player, humble and hardworking, and with a promising future ahead of him.