MBETTER THAN ALL THE REST
Kylian is simply the best and in a hurry to add even more trophies to his collection
FRANCE v GERMANY Group F: Munich, 8pm, ITV
BY HECTOR NUNNS
FRANCE superstar Kylian Mbappe is in a rush to make more history.
Mbappe, already a World Cup winner (below), has four French League titles with Paris Saint-Germain to his name and he’s only 22.
World champions France open their Euro 2020 campaign against Germany tonight, with defending champions Portugal and Hungary also in their group.
And opposing defenders must again keep tabs on a striker whose top speed is a lightning-quick 24mph – not far behind Usain Bolt’s 28mph best.
Mbappe, speaking to France Football, said: “I have a special relationship with the world of speed, and I like the sensations linked to it.
“I stayed up to midnight once to see Usain Bolt win an Olympics final.
“He was more than a sprinter, he was an iconic showman. It made you want to get out of your seat in front of the
TV. I would have loved to run in a 100m final. I remember once in training at Monaco doing a 100m race on the athletics track. “You don’t realise how far it is, running at that intensity for so far. There’s so much to it. It’s not as easy as just getting a good start and then running as fast as you can. “But in football if you don’t master your speed it can become a handicap. Controlling a ball at 24mph is harder than at 15mph. And I have to adapt. Sometimes when running at goal I have to wait for team-mates so as to not be on my own.
“From very young I told myself I wanted to go into the history books. It is a consuming ambition, and I have always had it.
“I need to surprise people, and also surprise myself. I am someone in a hurry. That is probably why I am such a competitor and hate losing. I want to get as many victories now, without having to say ‘I’ll worry about the others later.’ I want them now.” France have an enviable record in major tournaments. They have not missed out on qualifying since the 1994 World Cup and since then have played in five major finals.
Hugo Lloris, the French captain, is experienced enough at 34 to have seen it all, but he is immensely impressed by a forward line of Mbappe, Karim Benzema and Antoine Griezmann.
Lloris said: “They’re top players who have been consistent for a number of years, more so for Antoine and Karim as Kylian is still young, even if he’s achieved so much already. I can understand why our opponents would be scared of them. Our forwards will be closely watched and, if we are to achieve a great result, then it will be achieved by a great team performance.
“Those three are capable of making the difference at any time but we are looking for balance on the pitch and to control the match against a great footballing nation.
“I have good and bad memories of France-Germany games. It’s a classic encounter at European and world level. It’s an important match as it’s the opening game in a very tough group.”