Fearless, joyous Mbappe is ready to rule the world for next decade
AS they lined up in the tunnel on a clammy, thunderous Moscow evening, Hugo Lloris wiped the sweat from his brow, Luka Modric stared into the distance, seeing no one and nothing but his own intensity.
Behind them, Kylian Mbappe could not take a grin from his face, in fact it was a mighty struggle to stop it from becoming a laugh. This is one audacious kid, this is one audacious talent. audacity World practicality boss Deschamps It Didier Cupwinning the is of audacity contain, can not he to would contain, not want audacity that was fundamental to this triumphant French summer. And think about this... Mbappe does not turn 20 years of age until just before Christmas. This is a young man who can cut a the accomplished swathe With next decade. through Croatia, tournaments in generally possession for as as enjoying they were territorial against advantage England, for lengthy periods, Mbappe (below) might only have been seen in flashes in this compelling contest. But they were frightening flashes. There was the gear-change from quick to rapid as he played his defence-unnerving role in the Paul Pogba strike that gave France breathing space. And then there was the arrogant swish of the right boot to effectively settle matters and become the first teenager to score in a World Cup Final since Pele announced himself to a wider audience in was years he with Sweden Pele, The 1958. stunned his almost younger don’t world 60 performances years forget, the when two already ago. world in knows Mbappe, player This of was the named tournament. not as Mbappe’s the best young most devastating was the tournament’s performance, but most he devastating player. He will set a global standard, just as the French will, for a while to come. Yes, they enjoyed some fortune. Antoine Griezmann took a dive for the free-kick that led to Mario Mandzukic’s own goal and, after Ivan Perisic had levelled, Nestor Pitana awarded the harshest of VAR-prompted penalties, which Griezmann despatched. But they were better than Croatia, just as Croatia had been better than England.
That, in a nutshell, is the size of the challenge facing Gareth Southgate at Euro 2020 and beyond.
Southgate and the English public might have just cause for optimism, having enjoyed that run to the semi-final with a young squad.
France’s squad was younger. Pogba, at 25, might not yet be in his pomp although he surely approached it at times in Russia, outstanding full-backs Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez are 22. The nation back home is already looking optimistically towards the Euros in a couple of years’ time. Rightly so.
But revisit a couple of Belgian performances here, look at the way Croatia performed for decent spells of this final, and then consider this vibrant, youthful France squad that did not even need the likes of Dimitri Payet or Anthony Martial.
Watching England rise to the task will be fascinating but, for now, savour the thrill of watching Mbappe. Just as he savours it.
As he waited to collect his individual award and his winner’s medal, Mbappe looked up and watched a re-run of his goal on the giant screen. And that familiar smile, that carefree boyish delight, spread across his face again.
This is one audacious kid, this is one audacious talent.