Frenchman Kylian Mbappé has a secret physical problem. Having gone unnoticed for several years, it is beginning to reveal itself…
Kylian Mbappé is one of the best football players in the world, even if in recent weeks his performances have not been the same as when he started. The player is in turmoil and attracts a lot of criticism from supporters and observers, who are impatiently awaiting the return of the “real” Kylian.
The French team striker has not become a second division player, far from it. He is always capable of performing at a very high level and making the difference at any time in any match. But his ball speed, brilliantly revealed to the general public during the 2018 World Cup final, no longer seems to be the same as before. Age obviously plays a role in this explosiveness in sprints, with Kylian Mbappé having to gradually adapt his game to his approaching thirties. But another reason is sometimes mentioned on the sly.
The world champion indeed has a fairly discreet physical problem, but considered “parasitic” by several experts. “During the push, while his right knee launches forward, he extends his left arm backwards. A parasitic gesture,” explains author Fabien Bauman in 100 shades of Mbappé. “This left arm which extends towards the rear is a fantasy. (…) In the sense of speed, it is a counter-movement”, also analyzes Frédéric Aubert, responsible for the physical preparation of the French teams football.
An opposite movement therefore, which would slow down Mbappé’s peak speed, but which also did not prevent him from achieving a record during the last Euro. The Real striker was flashed at 36.5km/h last summer, which made him the fastest player in this European Championship, although by all accounts he was not not really in top form.
So are we dealing with another defect or excess? According to the Spanish broadcast El ChringuitoKylian Mbappé’s maximum speed since the start of this season is 36 km/h. It’s difficult to say that in this aspect of the game, he is in less shape than before. Some assure that without this parasitic counter-movement, the Frenchman would be even faster, perhaps one of the fastest in the world. But be careful, opinions differ and nothing has yet been scientifically proven.