Mbappe becomes fourth footballer to appear on Time magazine's cover
What's the story
French football sensation Kylian Mbappe has added another feather to his crown of achievements by becoming the fourth footballer ever to be featured on the cover of Time magazine. The nineteen-year-old talent had grabbed eyeballs during his days at Monaco, from where Paris Saint-Germain signed him for €180 million. The World Cup winner has been deemed as a 'Next Generation Leader' by Time.
Time
Why is Time magazine's cover so influential?
Time is one of the most influential magazines, published in the English language and to be on its cover means a huge boost to a celebrity's brand value. Icons like Marilyn Monroe, Tom Cruise, and Barack Obama have found themselves on the cover of the Time. For 19-year-old Mbappe, nothing could have better explained the superstardom that is waiting for him.
Elite
Mbappe has joined an elite club of footballers now
Mbappe is the fourth player ever to be featured on the cover of Time, joining a club that includes Leo Messi, Neymar, and Mario Balotelli. Messi was featured after he won four consecutive Ballon d'Or by 2012. The issue featuring Balotelli talks about racism and European identity in football, and the one with Neymar manifests him as the symbol of Brazil's growing economy.
Observation
Is Mbappe's growing popularity a concern for Neymar?
Mbappe and Neymar are connecting up brilliantly whenever they step out for PSG, but Mbappe's growing stardom might be a cause for concern for Neymar. He had left Barcelona to step out of Messi's shadow, but it seems like Mbappe's stardom is engulfing him as well. Mbappe, the talk of the town, is being considered the future icon after Messi and Ronaldo.
Reason
The reason why Mbappe has been featured on Time's cover
Mbappe won the World Cup with France and was the most outstanding performer of the star-studded squad. He even ended up winning the Best Young Player Award in Russia. He is also the winner of the Golden Boy Award. Everyday, he is playing as a talismanic striker who is swinging the matches around single-handedly, just like he saved France from a humiliating defeat yesterday.