From the very beginning, Mbappe and his family were focused on him reaching the pinnacle of world football — a plan they called ‘Project Mbappe’.
Childhood friend Rayan Viyanga told a BBC Sport documentary that Kylian’s life revolved around school, football, and home.
He was born in 1998 in Bondy, a suburb on the outskirts of Paris, five months after France won their first World Cup.
The family apartment overlooked the AS Bondy pitches, where his father, Wilfried, went from player to coach.
According to Viyanga, Mbappe was already ahead of many at AS Bondy, determined to test himself only against the best.
Laurens added that, as a child, he learned La Marseillaise at three years old so he’d be ready for his first France cap.
With his mother, former professional handball player Fayza Lamari, in sport, he pinned up images of Cristiano Ronaldo and studied old footage of Zidane, another Real Madrid icon.
Closer to home, his adopted brother Jires Kembo Ekoko was a major influence — a Clairefontaine graduate years before Mbappe who later played for Rennes in Ligue 1.
Author and French football expert Matt Spiro told BBC Sport that Mbappe initially found Clairefontaine challenging; in his first year, he wasn’t the standout of his group.
He often featured out wide and could be noticeably moody at times.
A growth spurt near the end of that first year changed things, and by his second year he began to look the real deal.
His swift ascent surprised few — Nike had already sent him free boots when he was just 10 years old.
Tracked by Europe’s biggest clubs from early on, he left Paris for Monaco at 14.
He had spent time with Chelsea and Real Madrid, but his family were adamant he should remain in France through his teenage years.
At 16 years and 347 days, he became Monaco’s youngest-ever player, surpassing Henry’s 1994 record, when he came on in the 88th minute against Caen.
Three months later, he scored his first senior goal against Troyes to become the club’s youngest scorer, again beating Henry’s mark.
Laurens said that from his Monaco breakthrough, it was clear his talent was different — France has produced many top prospects, but he offered something extra.