In Ivory Coast, we are currently only talking about the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. It must be said that the continental competition is exciting this year with crazy scenarios and an Ivorian team still in the running for the final coronation. Enough to make Elephants supporters who follow the performances of the selection with great interest, but not only that. On the African continent in general, football has a big place in the lives of people who assiduously follow European football. In the lead, the English championship, largely favored by football followers, but also the Spanish championship thanks to the two giants that are Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.
When we stop in the streets of Abidjan to discuss football with the supporters of the different countries present at the CAN, the names of the two legends, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi come up regularly. Obviously logical when we know how CR7 and LM10 have marked the history of this sport and are unanimously appreciated in the four corners of the globe. But now, another player has made a name for himself alongside them and it is Kylian Mbappé. The French international, far from the European debates on his legitimacy or not, of sitting at the table of Ronaldo and Messi, is a real star on the continent with above all a very positive image for everything he gives off. All the Parisian jerseys seen in Ivory Coast are logically printed with his name.
An intact image
“With us, he has an excellent image. He is seen as a player of the caliber of Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi. A player capable of winning the Ballon d’Or. He’s a world-class player and he’s loved for it.”tells us Nuhu Adams, Ghanaian journalist for the media Ghana Soccer Net. This thought is shared by absolutely all the supporters met on site during this CAN. From the Congolese to the Ivorians to the Nigerians, everyone believes that the PSG player is indisputable and irreproachable on and off the field. And the image he reflects is an example for African youth who also dream of living a story like his.
At a time of debates on dual nationals and the importance for big players not to hesitate to represent their country of origin, Kylian Mbappé even escapes criticism over his choice of selection when he could also have (on the paper) play for Cameroon or Algeria. “I will tell you one thing, honestly in Cameroon, nothing would have become of him. We would have missed that. What he did in the World Cup made millions of children here in Africa dream. And he could never have done it with the Indomitable Lions. Today, all children want to be like him”explains Charles, a Cameroonian photographer present at this CAN 2023. When he started as a professional, a Mauritanian journalist had also asked Mbappé if there was a possibility of playing for Cameroon. “The question never arose, I am French and I was born in France” he replied.
Initiatives welcomed for the continent
But nothing to upset or frustrate Cameroonian supporters who have a certain pride in seeing Mbappé shine as a player of Cameroonian origin. If the Frenchman also makes young people dream with his level on the ground, his personality also allows him to have a lot of sympathy among followers on the African continent. “He is a public figure and a role model, we even talk about him at school, especially so that children can identify with him. He takes care of his image and is much less discreet than Messi or Ronaldo., explains Kaba, an Ivorian journalist. During his recent visit to Cameroon, Kylian Mbappé was able to measure his popularity by creating real crowd movements on each trip.
In 2018, after a dinner with Emmanuel Macron and Georges Weah, Kylian Mbappé did not hide his desire to invest massively to develop African sport. “Even though I am French, I have African origins. Helping African sport to develop is close to my heart. If I can help through my notoriety or otherwise, I will do it with pleasure. There are many things to do in Africa” he said. During its recent trip to Cameroon, according to the indiscretions of the local press, KM7 agreed with former basketball player Joachim Noah on the idea of investing several million in a large sports center. Initiatives welcomed by the continent and which have increased its popularity. “At least he doesn’t forget us”, says an Ivorian supporter. If he risks regularly being talked about for his football and not always being unanimous in his career, Kylian Mbappé has already managed to conquer the continent. And when you know your desire to invest there, it’s obviously an added source of pride…
