Every child begins with a dream. Sometimes, that dream is scribbled in a notebook. Sometimes, it is spoken aloud after watching a favourite sport. And sometimes, it is plastered across the walls of a bedroom. One of the most widely shared images of French football star Kylian Mbappé shows him as a young boy sitting in his bedroom, surrounded by posters of his childhood idol, Cristiano Ronaldo. At the time, it was simply the room of a football-loving child. Today, the image has become a powerful reminder that big dreams often begin in small spaces.
3 Jul 2026 | 12:38
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Mbappé’s rise from a talented youngster in the Paris suburbs to one of the world’s best footballers is a story of dedication, family support and relentless hard work. While natural ability played a role, his journey also offers valuable lessons for parents hoping to nurture their own children’s passions – whether in sports, music, academics or any other field.
A childhood built around football
Image Credit: Instagram/ @k.mbappe
Born on December 20, 1998, in Bondy, a suburb of Paris, Kylian Mbappé grew up in a family where sport was part of everyday life. His father, Wilfried Mbappé, coached youth players at AS Bondy for more than two decades, while his mother, Fayza Lamari, was a former professional handball player. Rather than forcing a career path on him, they recognised his love for football early and created an environment where that passion could flourish. As a child, Mbappé admired Cristiano Ronaldo and reportedly spent countless hours watching his matches, practising skills and imagining himself playing at the highest level. That determination eventually took him to the youth academy at AS Monaco, where his exceptional talent quickly became evident. By the age of 16, he had made his professional debut, and just a few years later, he helped France lift the 2018 FIFA World Cup, becoming one of the youngest stars in football history.His career has since included multiple domestic league titles, individual honours and a move to Real Madrid, the club where his childhood hero Ronaldo became a global icon. Throughout his journey, Mbappé has often spoken about the importance of discipline, sacrifice and the unwavering support of his family.
Parenting lessons from Mbappé’s journey
Image Credit: X/ @@iam_NelsonIbe
1. Recognise your child’s interests earlyChildren often show their interests even before they fully understand them. It is evident that Mbappé had an interest in football right from a young age. Instead of viewing it as a pastime, the parents took note and encouraged Mbappé to develop his interest in it.Parents are not supposed to choose for their children what they should be when they grow up, but they can observe what interests them.2. Support the passion, not just the outcomeIt takes time to achieve success. Before Mbappé won the World Cup, he put in many years of hard work and practicing his craft.Parents play an essential role by encouraging their children not only in their successes but also in their efforts. It does not matter whether the child wants a career as a sportsperson, musician or scientist.3. Build discipline alongside talentWhile talent opens up doors for a person, it is discipline that ensures these doors stay open. Mbappé’s progress is said to be due to both his talent and his dedication and determination.Parents can help their children establish routines and develop the right mindset about working hard. These skills will prove useful whatever their future career might be.4. Let role models inspire, not pressureMbappe always looked up to Cristiano Ronaldo growing up. Instead of emulating Ronaldo completely, he took inspiration from him during the process of developing his own personality and game.Parents can motivate their kids to take positive lessons from role models without constantly comparing them to those role models. The latter will only harm their confidence.5. Believe in your child’s dreamsAll achievements begin when a person starts thinking that something can be done. Dreams of children may appear to be very unrealistic initially; however, with the support of parents, they can become confident enough to try their best. While supporting a child’s ambitions doesn’t guarantee success in their endeavours, it does provide an atmosphere where they feel free to make mistakes and learn.
Every dream deserves encouragement
Kylian Mbappé’s journey reminds us that extraordinary success is rarely built on talent alone. It is shaped by years of practice, guidance, discipline and a family that recognised and nurtured a young boy’s passion.Not all children are destined to be professional footballers, nor should they be. The true takeaway is that parents should notice their kids’ interests, stimulate curiosity, provide learning opportunities, and value both success and effort. Dreams nurtured by patience and persistence have a much better chance of becoming something extraordinary.