His name is Kylian Adesanmi Mbappe
Wondering why a player named Kylian Mbappe has a Nigerian root? we got you covered.
The 18-year-old striker is one of the most sought after talents in Europe, as club’s who once turned him down as an 11-year-old are fighting for his signature.
Although there were reports he could be on his way to Real Madrid, there were also reports he is about to sign a new contract at Monaco – whenever he eventually moves he would break the record fee paid for any teenager.
A recent research has however, discovered that Kylian Mbappe who is already capped for Les Bleus has a Nigerian root.
Kylian’s father, Wilfred Mbappe, who has Cameroonian and Nigerian roots, was once a refuge, who migrated to France for greener pastures. According to reports, Wilfred in a bid to get a permanent stay got married to an Algerian-French lady Fayza, an ex-handball player.
Kylian was given a Yoruba middle name Adesanmi meaning “crown has favoured me” by Wilfred, who also adopted a son, Jirès Kembo Ekoko, a professional footballer of Congolese descent, but has a biological son and younger brother of Kylian named Adeyemi Mbappe, in recognition of his Nigerian roots.
Adeyemi is a Yoruba name meaning “the crown fits you.” Indeed, Adeyemi is the reason why Kylian celebrates his goals by posing with his arms crossed and thumbs up.
“This is how my younger brother celebrated when he beat me in the FIFA video game,” said Mbappe.
Wilfried works as coach at AS Bondy and he started training Kylian at the age of six. He also spends time coaching Adeyemi, while he is currently his Kylian’s agent.
Kylian Adesanmi Mbappe joins the growing list of would have been Nigerian players.
