Kylian Mbappe Surpasses Pele to Become the 'Football Emperor'

Record for Most World Cup Goals Before Age 24 (9 Goals), Surpassing Pel?
Elite Path... Father Was a Footballer Who Immigrated from Cameroon
With France Reaching the Quarterfinals, Further Record Updates Possible

On the 5th (Korean time), the Round of 16 match between France and Poland was held at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar during the 2022 Qatar World Cup. France's Mbappe is celebrating after scoring the team's third goal and his multi-goal.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunjung Lee] Kylian Mbappe (24, Paris Saint-Germain) scored multiple goals in the Round of 16 match against Poland at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on the 5th (Korean time), leading France to a 3-1 victory with 2 goals and 1 assist. He assisted Olivier Giroud's (AC Milan) opening goal in the 44th minute of the first half and then scored consecutive goals in the 29th and 46th minutes of the second half. With Mbappe's performance, France advanced to the quarterfinals and is smoothly progressing toward a second consecutive World Cup title. Having scored 3 goals in the group stage, Mbappe now leads the scoring chart with 5 goals in this World Cup. He is 2 goals ahead of Giroud, Lionel Messi (Argentina), Marcus Rashford (England), Alvaro Morata (Spain), Enner Valencia (Ecuador), and Cody Gakpo (Netherlands).

Mbappe has surpassed the 'King of Football' Pel? (Brazil). At the age of 23 years and 349 days, he became the player with the most goals (9 goals) in the World Cup finals before turning 24. The previous record holder, Pel?, had 7 goals. This is why people say 'a new King of Football has been born' when referring to Mbappe.

Mbappe first stood out in the 2018 Russia World Cup, his debut tournament. In the Round of 16 match against Argentina, he scored multiple goals, becoming the first teenager in 60 years since Pel? in 1958 to score multiple goals in a World Cup match. However, Pel? won the World Cup in 1958 in Sweden, and also experienced victories in the 1962 Chile World Cup and the 1970 Mexico World Cup. To break this record, Mbappe will need to win two more World Cups in the future.

Mbappe was born in France in 1998. His father, Wilfried Mbappe, immigrated from Cameroon to France, played football professionally, and later coached the youth team of AS Bondy. He trained Kylian and his two brothers from a young age, all of whom became players for the French youth national football teams. Mbappe passed through France's top football elite academy Clairefontaine and the Monaco youth team.

Given his rapid world records from a young age, Mbappe's star power is also remarkable. The American business magazine Forbes estimated last month that Mbappe earned $110 million from salary and signing bonuses related to the 2022 World Cup, and an additional $18 million from endorsements with brands like Nike and Dior. Mbappe has also been the cover model for EA Sports' popular football game FIFA 21 three times in a row. In terms of active football players' Instagram followers, he ranks fourth after Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Neymar.

Since France has advanced to the quarterfinals, Mbappe's records can continue to be updated. If his current momentum continues, he is likely to become the top scorer of his first World Cup and achieve France's second consecutive title, fully opening the 'Mbappe era.'