Girl At The Game has never had a soccer article before, but the story of Kylian Mbappe feels like the perfect opportunity to change that.
Yesterday, France won the World Cup for the second time in tournament history, and striker Kylian Mbappe became the first teenager to score a goal in a World Cup final since Brazilian legend Pelé in the 1958 tournament when he was 17.
But the best story out of the event is not Kylian Mbappe’s scoring, but rather, his announcement that he will be donating all of his earnings from the games to Premiers de Cordee, a charity that raises disability awareness through campaigns at school and business, and gives free sports programs for disabled and hospitalized children. Mbappe has been working with the organization for over a year.
Mbappe’s estimated earnings per game are $22,500 plus bonuses, but he also received a bonus of about $350,000 when France won the World Cup. His total estimated earnings from the tournament are more than half a million, but he won’t be keeping a single euro. Like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar, it looks like Mbappe is on his way to becoming one of the most philanthropic athletes in the world.
In an interview with Le Monde, Mbappe exuded wisdom and maturity well beyond his years, telling the publication,
“For me, football is more than a sport, just look at the impact it has on society. People come to the stadium to forget their lives for 90 minutes, and it’s up to us to give them satisfaction; to get them out of their chairs and to fall asleep with stars in their eyes. When I was younger, there were players who gave me pleasure, and now I’m in that role.”
Mbappe was born months after France’s first World Cup victory in 1998, but he understood the impact it had on the country, and it’s clear that he played an integral part in the second coming.
It’s uplifting to see a player as young as Mbappe hold such strong values and priorities, as well as remarkable talent. His actions are a reminder that we all can do more to make our world a better place, and not just by doing our jobs. Hopefully, he will inspire athletes and people around the world with his example.
Photo: Daily Star UK
