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Every so often a performance on the football field makes the world sit up and take notice.
Not just for what they’re seeing before their eyes but for what the performance signals for the future. For what could be.
That was the case in the early hours of Sunday morning when French wunderkind Kylian Mbappe drove his country to a famous 4-3 win over Argentina. His dominant performance, which included two goals and a powerful run that earned a penalty for France’s opener, oozed x-factor.
Argentina’s lacklustre defensive options were blown away by a teenager who has now announced himself to the world. Comparisons were made with Michael Owen’s breakout performance as (also) a teenager in the 1998 World Cup. Owen would be chuffed to hear his name in the same sentence.
Mbappe’s dismantling of Argentina is in essence unsurprising. The teenager has already garnered the second-highest transfer fee ever (behind Neymar) when he was poached from Monaco by Paris Saint-Germain less than a year ago. His attributes terrify most centre-halves: pure pace, strength, clinical in front of goal and astute tactical awareness.
But despite his inarguable talent and upside, how a young player responds on the biggest stage is far from guaranteed. Mbappe has proved himself at the domestic and European level for PSG and Monaco, but pulling on a national team shirt at a World Cup is something entirely different. The narrative of a dominant striker at club level flopping at the World Cup is a well-worn path.
But Mbappe, reportedly mature beyond in years, clearly pays scant attention to pressure at home and abroad. Solid performances in the group stage (including the winner against Peru) and a man-of-the-match outing against Argentina have shown the world what a dominant force he can become – all before his 20th birthday.
Respected pundit and former England striker Gary Lineker tweeted twice during the game about the prodigious Mbappe: “Phenomenal run from Mbappe. Reminds me so much of Brazilian Ronaldo” he said, before adding “I’ve said it before, but Kylian Mbappe will be the next global football superstar”.
Is it hasty to suggest Mbappe could lead his French side to World Cup glory in Russia?
The talent of players around him is unquestioned. But could the likes Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud and Paul Pogba, however, be Mbappe’s supporting cast? Certainly fellow strikers Griezmann and Giroud are much more known entities.
(Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)
Giroud’s strength and ability to have players work off him is invaluable. Opposition coaches, however, know the role he will play. Similarly, Griezmann will attempt to exploit the pockets of space between the midfield and defensive lines. Mbappe, however, can play in a wide or central position, and his pace gives him that pure x-factor that would scare teams.
No tactical preparation can ready you for an 80-yard dash that torches every defender on the park, as Mbappe showed to Argentina’s Marcos Rojo and Nicolas Otamendi.
Said it before, but Kylian Mbappe will be the next global football superstar.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 30, 2018
When his nation last tasted success on the biggest stage, Mbappe was months from being born. And after what we saw in Kazan, it’s no beyond the realms of possibility to think this prodigy could be lifting the cup in a fortnight’s time.
For the French team as a whole, any concerns their tremendously talented squad may not unlock their full potential this World Cup were largely put to bed against Argentina.
The 4-3 scoreline belied what was, in truth, a dominant win.
After lacklustre performances throughout the group stage, including an arguably fortuitous three points against the Socceroos, questions have been raised of manager Didier Deschamps.
In particular, the French press have focused on whether Deschamps is getting the best out of his attacking riches.
His side responded in the best positive fashion, clicking into gear when it matters most. After breezing through the group stage, this was a performance that sends a notice to their closest rivals.
The history of the World Cup is littered with sides who start slowly and shift through the gears as the tournament goes on. If France can do this in Russia, few sides will have the quality to defeat them.
They next face Uruguay, who defeated Portugal 2-1 today, before a potential semi-final showdown with Brazil. We’re licking our lips at the prospect already.