Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe is now a superstar in his own right, but the 21-year-old has now revealed which two footballers he idolised when he was growing up, neither of whom is Lionel Messi.
On Monday, Mbappe unveiled his new foundation, Inspired by KM Foundation, which will seek to provide protection to 98 children in Paris until they are of the age to begin working.
While speaking at the presentation, the PSG wonderkid revealed how he wanted to leave his mark through football, and named two of his idols that impacted his life in that way.
"Well, I've had phases. To start as a child, it was (Zinedine) Zidane," Mbappe revealed when asked about his childhood footballing heroes, as reported by Marca.
"If you're a boy and you're French, your idol is Zidane. After (him), Cristiano, I've been lucky enough to face him, and then Brazilians for the way they play.
"The role I want is to leave my stamp with my values, leave a message in the history of football."
Mbappe went on to stress that the initiative was not about identifying young, talented footballers, but rather to prepare the youth for roles as future professionals in whatever field they find themselves.
"It is not only that they dream of football or being athletes, but that they fulfil any dream they have," the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner added.
"We don't force them to anything, and I'll be there to listen to them."
