Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterFour Four TwoGet FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member features.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.You are now subscribedYour newsletter sign-up was successfulWant to add more newsletters?Five times a weekFourFourTwo DailyFantastic football content straight to your inbox! From the latest transfer news, quizzes, videos, features and interviews with the biggest names in the game, plus lots more.Signup +Once a week...And its LIVE!Sign up to our FREE live football newsletter, tracking all of the biggest games available to watch on the device of your choice. Never miss a kick-off!Signup +Join the clubGet full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in.Subscribe to our newsletterStill just 27 years old, it feels as though Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has been around for generations.A good reason for that is that hes been on the radar of the global game since being a teenager, having made his debut for Monaco aged 16.A dozen years and 421 senior goals later, it feels as though the Frenchman has comfortably lived up to the early hype ranked at no.3 in FourFourTwo's list of the best strikers in the world right now. You may like Kylian Mbappe given injury update ahead of 'possible operation' - with World Cup and Manchester City clash on the horizon Bayern Munich teenager admits dream to play for Champions League rivals Real Madrid: 'The Boy's A Bit Special' 'The Boy's A Bit Special' Rio Ngumoha eyeing second Liverpool scalp after impressing Arne Slot Fabinho recounts the early days of Kylian MbappeExperienced professionals become accustomed to welcoming young prospects into first-team training, as its a common method of bringing through new blood.But every now and then, a player comes through with an entirely different aura around him.Unsurprisingly, former Liverpool midfielder Fabinho, who was there in Mbappes early weeks with the senior squad at Monaco, sensed the club had struck a special talent.People were already talking about him at the youth academy, saying that he was a star, the Brazilian tells FourFourTwo.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.I was away on international duty when he started training with the first-team squad when I returned, my team-mates told me that a very talented young player had been promoted, but I wanted to see for myself.When I first saw him, I immediately realised he was different. From the beginning he showed a lot of personality.The young Mbappe broke none other than Thierry Henrys record at Monaco, as their youngest-ever first-team player, but it still wasnt enough for this electric talent, destined for the stars.Kylian Mbapp #UCL pic.twitter.com/NPBeuLJLZkFebruary 25, 2025I can also remember when he was getting his first minutes in matches, Fabinho continued. He soon complained that he wasnt getting the playing time he wanted.I think to test him, the coach put Kylian in the starting line-up for the next game, against Montpellier. He did very well, stood out a lot, and gained more and more confidence from the coach.But it was after the Champions League game at Manchester City [when Mbappe scored in a 5-3 loss] that he really became a starter. From that game on, it was a rise that continues today.TOPICSFabinhoKylian MbappeMonacoLigue 1Champions LeagueIsaac Stacey StrongeSocial Links NavigationFreelance WriterIsaac Stacey Stronge is a freelance football writer working for FourFourTwo, Manchester United and Football League World. He has been a season ticket holder at Stockport County throughout the Hatters meteoric rise from the National League North to League One and is a die-hard Paddy Madden fan.With contributions fromFelipe Rocha
