Kylian Mbappé doesn’t just dazzle football fans with his speed, goals and dribbling skills. The Real Madrid striker and captain of the French national team has another string to his bow: an impressive command of languages. Think he only speaks French and Spanish? Well, the reality is even more surprising!
Kylian Mbappé is undoubtedly one of the most talented footballers of his generation. But did you know that his skills are not limited to the pitch? While most players limit themselves to their mother tongue and a few notions of English, Kylian Mbappé goes far beyond that. He speaks fluent French, English and Spanish, three essential languages for a footballer of international stature. But that’s not all! The football prodigy also has a solid grasp of Italian, Arabic and Portuguese. A linguistic ability that enables him to interact with a wide variety of players and coaches around the world.
Le niveau d'espagnol de Kylian Mbappé. 😮 pic.twitter.com/4cadY94HGL
— Instant Foot ⚽️ (@lnstantFoot) July 13, 2024
If you’re wondering why Mbappé has taken an interest in so many languages, the answer is simple: his passion for football has never been limited to the pitch. Ever since he was a child, he dreamed of wearing the Real Madrid shirt. This fascination naturally led him to learn Spanish, a language he now speaks with remarkable ease. The same goes for Italian: a great admirer of AC Milan in his youth, he immersed himself in the language to better follow his favourite team.
Mbappé and his family and sporting influences
Beyond football, his origins and his idols have also played a crucial role in his language learning. His mother, of Algerian origin, gave him some basic Arabic, a language he understands and speaks a little. As for Portuguese, it’s a tribute to his all-time idol, Cristiano Ronaldo. What is more, he is used to communicating in Portuguese with the Brazilians of PSG, like Neymar, Dani Alves and even Marquinhos when he was still wearing the shirt of the club from the French capital. Determined to follow in the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s footsteps, Kylian has taken to learning his role model’s language, further proof of his unwavering dedication.
Kylian Mbappé : « J'ai appris l'espagnol parce que je savais que je voulais rejoindre le Real Madrid. Je savais que ça m’aiderait beaucoup. » pic.twitter.com/q31oUYhbdh
— Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) July 16, 2024
Asked about the importance of being multilingual in the world of football, Kylian Mbappé gave a mature answer. ‘I aspire to be an international footballer, and an international footballer cannot be satisfied with just one language,’ he said a few months ago after joining Real Madrid. A statement that speaks volumes about his vision of sport and his openness to the world. His language learning is no mere whim, but a calculated strategy to establish himself as a benchmark on and off the pitch.
An advantage inside and outside the dressing room
A command of several languages gives Mbappé a definite advantage in a cosmopolitan dressing room like that of Real Madrid. He can communicate easily with his Spanish, Brazilian and English team-mates. This makes it easier for the team to develop a sense of automaticity and cohesion. This ability also strengthens his leadership and allows him to naturally assert himself as a spokesperson for the group.
But the advantage doesn’t stop there. Outside football, his linguistic versatility makes him an ideal ambassador for international brands and sponsors. Interviews, press conferences, advertising campaigns… Kylian Mbappé can express himself without a filter, reaching a much wider audience than his monolingual counterparts.
The native of Bondy doesn’t see languages simply as a means of communication. For him, it is a way of opening up to the world and gaining a better understanding of the different cultures that make up the world of football. In a sport where teams are increasingly multicultural, speaking several languages helps to forge stronger links with team-mates and better integrate into foreign clubs such as Real Madrid.
And tomorrow, a seventh language for Mbappé?
With such an ease of learning, one wonders whether Kylian Mbappé will soon be adding a new language to his repertoire. German, Mandarin or even Russian could be relevant options for the 2018 world champion. One thing is certain: his talent is not limited to football. His intelligence, charisma and ability to adapt make him a player apart, well beyond the pitch.
Kylian Mbappé never ceases to amaze. Fast on the pitch, a strategist off it, he proves that a modern footballer needs to be much more than just an athlete. His mastery of languages shows his ambition and professionalism. Not content with being one of the best players in the world, he also wants to establish himself as a key figure in international football. And with such determination, who could doubt it?
Leave a Reply