Kylian Mbappe set for full France debut against Spain before Monaco play PSG in French League Cup final - he can already achieve so much before the season ends and he decides future
- Kylian Mbappe has scored 17 times in 29 matches for Monaco this season
- He has 11 in his last nine, earning a call-up to the France squad in the process
- Mbappe has been linked with a big money move when the season is over
Kylian Mbappe is set for his full France debut when they play Spain in a friendly on Tuesday
Diego Costa has gushed over a 'killer' goalscoring instinct, while Thierry Henry says has marvelled at an 'Ooh la la' style of play. Sergio Ramos wants him at Real Madrid. These are just three of the latest notable names to pay tribute to the irrepressible young Monaco striker, Kylian Mbappe.
The 18-year-old has outlined his potential as football's next global star with 17 goals in 29 games for an increasingly impressive Monaco side this season, including 11 in his last nine.
He is now set for his full international debut for France when they play Spain in a friendly at the Stade de France on Tuesday.
Mbappe played 12 minutes as France beat Luxembourg 3-1 and nearly scored
Mbappe earned his France all up after netting 11 times in his last nine Monaco matches
Didier Deschamps handed Mbappe a taster of international football on Saturday, bringing him on in the 78th minute for Dimitri Payet in France's 3-1 win over Luxembourg in World Cup qualifying.
And while the opponents were unlikely to have had much to trouble Mbappe, the stage itself may have frayed his nerves.
But there was no sign of that at all. Instead, that killer instinct that wowed Costa, an opponent on Wednesday, nearly served Mbappe with his first international goal.
A stinging half volley was beaten away well by Luxembourg goalkeeper Ralph Schon.
As well as conquering Ligue 1 this campaign, Mbappe outlined his potential as one of Europe's most prodigious talents on the elite club stage with two outstanding displays against Manchester City in the Champions League.
He scored once in each leg as Monaco advanced into the last eight on away goals, with the aggregate score ending 6-6.
In the first tie, Mbappe frequently muddled City's defence by floating across Monaco's front line. His blistering pace, neat close control and direct, tireless running kept putting City on the ropes in the first half and contributed to a gripping end-to-end encounter - one of the most entertaining Champions League ties in recent seasons.
His goal, in the 40th minute of that match, also demonstrated how strong he is for 18, shrugging off Nicolas Otamendi to latch onto a long free-kick and smash Monaco into a 2-1 lead with a first-time strike.
Yes, they eventually lost 5-3 that night but Mbappe helped overturn that deficit with another ruthless finish six minutes into the second leg.
Mbappe starred for Monaco as they knocked Manchester City out the Champions League
Mbappe is only 18 but has already outlined his potential as one of Europe's next major stars
Mbappe's France breakthrough could be the start of a breathtaking finish to a great season
Tuesday's friendly is another step up the ladder for the seemingly unstoppable teenager, who is destined to be targeted by Europe's biggest teams in the summer.
Manchester United have been strongly linked with a move and have raided Monte Carlo before for Monaco's emerging talents when they signed Anthony Martial in 2015.
Mbappe's team-mate, Fabinho, believes he will eventually depart.
'We know that sooner or later he'll go to a club like Real Madrid, Barcelona or another club of that calibre,' he told Chuteira FC.
'But until then, we're going to enjoy him at Monaco.'
Until the end of the season, at the very least, it seems there won't be much to stop Mbappe enjoying his football.
A tricky but certainly winnable Champions League quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund lies in wait in April. Monaco also lead the Ligue 1 standings by three points, with Paris Saint-Germain in second.
They are also in the quarter-final of the French Cup, where they will face Lille next month while Mbappe will return from international duty to prepare for the French League Cup final on Saturday against PSG.
Leonardo Jardim's side have already scored an astonishing 87 times in 30 league matches this season.
When Mbappe returns from international duty, he will prepare for the French League Cup final
Monaco are also three points clear of Paris Saint-Germain at the top of Ligue 1
Mbappe and Monaco will also face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League quarter-final
Evidently, there is a setup at Monaco which allows Mbappe and his fellow attackers to thrive. With so many goals in the team Monaco, the task of trying to stifle them is an unenviable one.
While City highlighted some defensive flaws in the Champions League, French sides have found those harder to expose. Monaco have only conceded 26 in Ligue 1 so far.
Most of the talk surrounding Mbappe is inevitably based upon what he will go on and achieve but he could very possibly be deciding his future in the summer with a medal or two already in the bag.
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