Tiémoué Bakayoko spent three seasons in his first stint with AS Monaco (2014-2017) and was teammates with Kylian Mbappé before his move to Paris Saint-Germain.
During a recent interview with So Foot (via Culture PSG), Bakayoko discussed his former teammate who he refers to as his “little brother.”
Since coming on the scene in 2017, when the teenager helped lead Monaco to a semi-finals appearance in the UEFA Champions League and Ligue 1 title, the France international has become a global superstar.
Most of that squad from that championship-winning season have gone on to greener pastures. However, it’s Mbappé who now has the responsibilities of not only being one of the faces of PSG but his national team as well.
Nonetheless, Bakayoko went on to explain how Mbappé is handling his new-found stardom.
“Somewhere, I think he likes to see his name everywhere, so the criticism he faces today, I see it as a kind of obligatory passage: all the big players before him faced it at one time given,” Bakayoko said. “When you are exposed to that, it is a sign that you are interested in people.”
The Monaco midfielder, who is on loan from Chelsea FC, added that he wanted those who are the most critical of Mbappé to “savor his talent” even if they “support a club other than PSG.”
Generational talents are players that are appreciated regardless of where they play and Bakayoko hopes football fans appreciate what the game has in Mbappé.
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