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The Mbappé Project: Making a Football Superstar
Kylian Mbappé was only 7 years old when Nike knocked on his parents' door and gave him his first sponsorship contract. His name was trademarked worldwide before he'd won his first cap for France. Every move, every decision was calculated from the outset.
As Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo approach the end of their careers, one man is primed to take their place at the very top of the game. Kylian Mbappé, the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot winner, who went on to surpass Messi and become the overall World Cup goalscorer.
Yes, Mbappé is a generational talent, and an exceptionally smart individual who looks as much at ease at the Elysée Palace as on the pitch. But what truly sets him apart is that he is not just a he is a project.
PRAISE FOR PHILIPPE AUCLAIR
The Rebel Who Would Be King
'A tour de force... at one elegant and exhaustive... This is a book about an outstandingly gifted footballer by an outstandingly accomplished journalist, who English puts most native writers to shame' - Brian Glanville
'With this book Auclair announces himself as an outstandingly gifted biographer... A truly great book' - GQ
Thierry Lonely At The Top
'Superb... a thoroughly recommended book' - James Olley, Evening Standard
'Illuminated by finely tuned phrases and vivid insights' - Richard Williams, Guardian Sports Book of the Year
As Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo approach the end of their careers, one man is primed to take their place at the very top of the game. Kylian Mbappé, the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot winner, who went on to surpass Messi and become the overall World Cup goalscorer.
Yes, Mbappé is a generational talent, and an exceptionally smart individual who looks as much at ease at the Elysée Palace as on the pitch. But what truly sets him apart is that he is not just a he is a project.
PRAISE FOR PHILIPPE AUCLAIR
The Rebel Who Would Be King
'A tour de force... at one elegant and exhaustive... This is a book about an outstandingly gifted footballer by an outstandingly accomplished journalist, who English puts most native writers to shame' - Brian Glanville
'With this book Auclair announces himself as an outstandingly gifted biographer... A truly great book' - GQ
Thierry Lonely At The Top
'Superb... a thoroughly recommended book' - James Olley, Evening Standard
'Illuminated by finely tuned phrases and vivid insights' - Richard Williams, Guardian Sports Book of the Year
284 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 5, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 27, 2026
As someone who isn’t a football fanatic and have only recently got into football myself even I have heard of Kylian Mbappé. The first time I watched him play he was 19 and playing for France in the World Cup in Russia in 2018 and with little knowledge or understanding of the game at the time even I recognised the brilliance this man had.
This book was a great introduction to who Mbappé is, not only as the man but the brand. This book highlights the importance of his mothers support and how she has truly done the best she could in raising him to be the man he is to date. Every decision made has been to secure his future but also pay back into the footballing community and back into his country. Mbappé’s life has been calculated and planned out every step of the way. His parents made sure that he wasn’t a one trick pony and only knew how to play football, but if needed to man could play the flute. Mbappé values his role in the community and has made strides to stand up in what he believes in, not wanting to advertise for Coco Cola and Uber Eats just because that’s what every other player is doing. The book highlighted the darker side of football and how PSG seemed to turn on Mbappé as soon as his contract was up and he had bigger dreams and goals outside of what the club could offer and wanted to move to Real Madrid, from withholding money due to allegedly setting him up in Stockholm. Mbappé has remained cool, calm and collected under pressure and has continued to play the game the way it was supposed to, with honesty and integrity.
Unfortunately the author was unable to get Mbappé’s direct input or comment in this book and I think it definitely shows, as it lacks a certain personal element that biography’s have when the subject is involved in the story telling.
I also think that if you’re a super fan of Mbappé or you have followed his career closely or done your own research on how he came to be where he is then you’ll likely not learn a lot from the book.
This book was a great introduction to who Mbappé is, not only as the man but the brand. This book highlights the importance of his mothers support and how she has truly done the best she could in raising him to be the man he is to date. Every decision made has been to secure his future but also pay back into the footballing community and back into his country. Mbappé’s life has been calculated and planned out every step of the way. His parents made sure that he wasn’t a one trick pony and only knew how to play football, but if needed to man could play the flute. Mbappé values his role in the community and has made strides to stand up in what he believes in, not wanting to advertise for Coco Cola and Uber Eats just because that’s what every other player is doing. The book highlighted the darker side of football and how PSG seemed to turn on Mbappé as soon as his contract was up and he had bigger dreams and goals outside of what the club could offer and wanted to move to Real Madrid, from withholding money due to allegedly setting him up in Stockholm. Mbappé has remained cool, calm and collected under pressure and has continued to play the game the way it was supposed to, with honesty and integrity.
Unfortunately the author was unable to get Mbappé’s direct input or comment in this book and I think it definitely shows, as it lacks a certain personal element that biography’s have when the subject is involved in the story telling.
I also think that if you’re a super fan of Mbappé or you have followed his career closely or done your own research on how he came to be where he is then you’ll likely not learn a lot from the book.
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September 18, 2026Philippe Auclair is a very brilliant author. His books are always full of in depth accounts and taking you on a journey. Kylian Mbappe's journey is a mind-blowing and detailed account. I highly recommend this book to any parent whose child aspires to be a very great footballer and also for coaches and managers to enable them understand the journey of the players they deal with in the dressing room.
June 2, 2026
this was unique and excellent, although the "project" made me feel sad about modern football's direction & its boring cast of cultivated characters
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews