Inter Milan striker Marcus Thuram says it’s been “incredible” to watch Kylian Mbappe grow.
The 26-year-old spoke to French broadcaster TF1, via FCInterNews. He noted that he and the Paris Saint-Germain forward have known each other since they were children.
Thuram and Mbappe have followed somewhat different paths in football.
For Inter striker Thuram, it has been a somewhat long and winding one.
That does not mean that the Nerazzurri striker is a late-bloomer by any means. His talent has always been evident.
But Thuram did not emerge as a top player in the biggest competitions right away.
The Frenchman, who is the son of legendary former Juventus and Parma defender and World Cup winner Lilian Thuram, has grown a lot over time.
Thuram played for the likes of Sochaux and then Guingamp in France.
Then, the Frenchman made the move to Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga. There, Thuram improved season on season, becoming more clinical in the final third and more positionally versatile.
And last summer, Thuram made the most important move of his career yet.
The 26-year-old signed for Inter on a free transfer. Playing as a striker in a partnership with Lautaro Martinez, Thuram has enjoyed his most impressive and most productive campaign yet.
Thuram is well on his way to winning his first ever domestic league title with Inter.
And the Nerazzurri striker is also vying for a starting role with France at the Euros.
Marcus Thuram Extolls “Incredible” Growth Of Kylian Mbappe
One player who did not need long to break into the France setup was Mbappe.
The 25-year-old has been just about the first name on the teamsheet for Les Bleus for more than half a decade.
Mbappe has been France’s talisman for three successive international tournament.
This includes powering Les Bleus to the World Cup trophy in 2018, and then scoring a hat-trick in the final last time around even though France ultimately lost on penalties.
Mbappe’s explosion in the international game followed a similarly sudden breakout at club level.
During the 2016-17 season, Mbappe shone for Monaco as the Ligue 1 side won a surprise league title and reached the Champions League final.
This led to a big money move to Paris Saint-Germain. That is where Mbappe has been for the past seven years.
However, rumours suggest that Mbappe may be on his way to Real Madrid next season.
In many ways, Mbappe hasn’t seemed like a player who has had much growing to do. The Frenchman has been at the top level since his very early years.
But Inter striker Thuram said that “It’s been incredible watching him grow.”
“Seeing what he’s become.”
“I’ve known him since we were very little,” the Inter stirker said. He and Mbappe came through the youth ranks of the French national team together.
“It’s been brilliant to see,” he added.