ARTICLE AD
It has been 13 years since their paths first crossed. At the time, it was just a friendly match between two young football hopefuls. Today, one is a global superstar, while the other has charted his path silently, climbing the ranks of professional football. This weekend, Kylian Mbappé is preparing to face one of his former teammates, in a duel where memories of yesteryear will meet the intensity of a La Liga duel.
Kylian Mbappé and his debut at Valdebebas
Back in 2012. Mbappé, then 14 years old, was living a waking dream. Invited by Real Madrid to participate in training within the Madrid academy, he made a strong impression. Alongside young local talents, he notably shared the field with a promising striker from the 1998 generation. Together, they formed the offensive duo of Cadete B during a friendly match. If the memories of this moment remained engraved in the minds of the observers present, the two players quickly took different directions.
2024 Icon Sports
Two very distinct trajectories
One became world champion and pillar of Paris Saint-Germain, while the other, Dani Gómez, continued his rise away from the spotlight. Playing for several Spanish clubs before establishing himself in La Liga, Gómez, now a striker for Valencia CF, is preparing to find Mbappé on the pitch.
The two players have never played together again since their meeting at Valdebebas, but this duel, 13 years later, revives memories of a time when their paths crossed for the first time.
A wink of destiny
The duel between Mbappé and his former teammate from 2012 symbolizes much more than a simple match: it is a wink from destiny, a nostalgic parenthesis at the heart of a sport in perpetual motion. Between childhood memories and current ambitions, this meeting will remind us that, even in football, certain links transcend the years.
Written by:
Manu Tournoux is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Manu discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team.
 
 As an author for the website, Manu's expertise includes not only in-depth analysis of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches but also insightful profiles of up-and-coming talents, detailed transfer news, and engaging coverage of the French national team. His captivating writing style and undeniable passion for the game have earned him a loyal following among our readers.
 
 When he's not crafting engaging articles for French Football Weekly, Manu enjoys attending live matches whenever he can, exploring football culture in various French cities, and engaging in spirited debates with fellow fans. Feel free to follow Manu on Twitter and interact with him as he shares his expert opinions, insights, and love for French football.