In the Thirsty Mad Cat pub, in the heart of the capital, as in the suburban town where he grew up, lovers of the Blues only had the name of the French superstar in their mouths.

"He is legendary", ignites Maxime, 37 years old and a 1998 version Zidane jersey on his shoulders, in the packed establishment in the 2nd arrondissement.

"On a mission"

This Parisian has watched all the Blues matches in this same pub since 2018 with his group of friends.

The experience even taught him to protect his belongings from beer splashes with a garbage bag.

And he is convinced: "+ Kyky + is on a mission, he is here to break records and he will do it."

With nine goals between Russia and Qatar, Mbappé is already the second best French scorer for the France team in the World Cup, four lengths behind the myth Just Fontaine (13).

His missed shot on goal at the same stage, during Euro-2020 against Switzerland, seems forgiven.

"Thank you, Kylian! Thank you, Kylian! Thank you, thank you, thank you, Kylian!" match in the presence of the Minister of Sports and the Olympic Games, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra.

She attended the match in a casual outfit, wearing a Blues jersey in her name, bathed in the cries of the swarm of children surrounding her.

About fifty players from the three clubs in the city – the majority from AS Bondy where Kylian Mbappé trained for ten years – were invited, accompanied by a few parents.

"They gave us a great image. We had a great time, congratulations to the Blues", rejoiced, with a big smile, the minister who exchanged her Blues jersey for AS Bondy's green.

She also praised the "amateur sport that trains our great champions", evoking the "local hero" Kylian Mbappé who played at AS Bondy from 4 to 14 years old.

"It's a great fairy tale".

Around her, the young fans were jubilant.

"Kylian Mbappé was fantastic," enthused Mohamed-Lamine Mbeingue, 9, including four at AS Bondy.

"My goal is to become like Kylian Mbappé with at least one Ballon d'Or," added the child, who plays as a left striker.

The N.10 of the France team has not yet received the prestigious trophy.

"He hovers": Yaniss, 32, can't believe it, on the sidewalk of the Thirsty Mad Cat.

"You just have to see the reactions in the room: people are flabbergasted by what he does. His first goal, when he closes his foot at the last moment, he worked it. It's almost a copy and paste of the one he put on against Bayern Munich with PSG."

“Everyone was waiting” for their goal in Bondy “

The few Polish supporters present to see this first round of 16 since 1986 recognize French superiority.

"We lacked luck ... and quality," smiles Mateusz, 34, who has been living in France for two years.

Young footballers from Bondy, the city where Kylian Mbappé is from, watch the France-Poland match on December 4, 2022 © JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP

Irene, ten years younger and of Polish ancestry through her mother, agrees, with her centenary jersey in the name of Robert Lewandoswki, their "only great player".

Scorer on penalty at the end of the match, the Barcelona striker gave a hug and a few sweet words to the man of the day after the final whistle, taking over from many French people.

The name of the "crack de Bondy" is on everyone's lips, on his land.

"It's nice that it's him who scores, everyone was waiting for him, it's obvious", reacts, happy, Olivier Gahoudi, coach of the AS Bondy U16s.

Shortly before kick-off, the Minister briefly attended the AS Bondy U18 match against Villepinte.

"That the minister comes, that's good, but what does she plan for us? It's all very well that Mbappé left (AS Bondy, editor's note) but the new generation, we make it what?" Blown to AFP, on condition of anonymity, a player's mother.

© 2022 AFP