Ethan Mbappé dazzles against PSG and emerges as LOSC's surprise trump card

Ethan Mbappé produced one of the most impressive performances of this early Ligue 1 season by dominating Paris Saint-Germain on Friday night during Matchday 2. The 19-year-old attacking midfielder, frequently sidelined by injuries last season, impressed observers so much that he has established himself as one of the summer revelations at Lille.

Adil Rami, 2018 World Cup winner and former LOSC player, made no secret of his enthusiasm. “He deserves to be highlighted because he played an exceptional match. He has talent, but he’s also intelligent. He has the intelligence to take space, he also has technical quality, he’s capable of making very good passes. At the start of this season, you can feel a player in confidence, in form, he’s ready,” he said.

For Rami, Ethan Mbappé’s rise deserves to be placed on the same level as Lille’s summer signings. “During the transfer window we often talk about players arriving and leaving, but we forget about players who gain confidence and stature. Ethan is one of them. In this Lille transfer window, we can talk about Ethan Mbappé as a new player. I think this will be his season.”

Journalist Walid Acherchour shares this assessment and is keen to dispel any suspicion of favoritism linked to his surname. “I want to say that he’s not a nepotistic pick in football. The first half he played against PSG, honestly… You have to open his file, because this is becoming very serious. This guy, footballistically, speaks to me. He has a connection with the rest of his team, he has a football sense that I like.”

Acherchour emphasizes the room for improvement still available for Kylian Mbappé’s younger brother. “He’s still young. But what he’s showing is really very strong. I was shocked and pleasantly surprised. He scores in big matches. He’s not a small player.” Two expert voices, one same verdict: Ethan Mbappé is no longer a prospect, he is a Ligue 1 reality.