Former French coach Arsène Wenger is known for discovering and nurturing many talents during his long career. When he observed Kylian Mbappé’s first performances with AS Monaco in 2017, Wenger was quick to see in him a raw genius comparable to Brazilian legend Pelé.
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Mbappé’s exceptional physical qualities reminiscent of Pelé
In a documentary dedicated to the young PSG striker, Wenger described what struck him about Mbappé from the start: “his precocity and the fluidity with which everything seemed easy for him”. He was immediately won over by the player’s “combined power and speed”, qualities which reminded him of Pelé. At only 18 years old, Mbappé already embodied “the sign of great talent” according to Wenger.
It’s no coincidence that Wenger tried to sign Mbappé for Arsenal back in the day. Convinced that he was dealing with a phenomenon in the making, he wanted to attract this rough diamond to his London workforce. Although his offer was refused, Wenger has since continued to praise Mbappé’s extraordinary qualities.
While recognizing his genius, Wenger also knows that the young striker is not without his faults. Like many great players, Mbappé has “an enormous level of demands” towards himself but also sometimes towards others, which can be annoying.
Nevertheless, Wenger remains convinced that Mbappé will be able to adapt to the decline in his physique with age thanks to his undeniable talent. Today, the prodigy continues to justify the flattering comparisons made by Arsène Wenger since his debut.
