Last week, the sports world was buzzing after a 19-year-old French futbal star was the front page of the weekly Time Magazine. The magazine covered Mbappé’s rise to fame.   

Mbappé grew up in Bondy, a commune in northeastern France, with a mother that stressed humility. Little did she know of the test her child would face with the stupendous amount of fame that proceeded him.   

In 2017, the wonder boy led his French Club Team, AS Monaco, to their first Ligue-1 title in 17 years. Mbappé won the 2017 Golden Boy Award, given to the world’s best young soccer player. At the end of the season, Mbappé became the most expensive teenager in the world when Paris-Saint-Germain (PSG) spent close to $200 million to AS Monaco for the young superstar.  

In 2018, even more success came. Mbappé lead PSG to the Ligue-1 title, scoring 10 goals, while alongside another young talent, Brazilian Superstar, Neymar.   

And of course, the most prized anticipated sports competition in the world, the World Cup. Les Bleus became Champions of the World, and in large part to Mbappé’s production. The striker became one of only two teenagers ever to score in a final match of the World Cup, the other arguably being the greatest, most influential soccer player of all time, Péle.   

Mbappé’s is not the only successful, contemporary teenage athlete.   

Two years ago, the NHL surfaced two teenagers by the names of Connor McDavid and Austin Matthews. Now the 21-year-olds are dominating the league. McDavid is the Captain of the Edmonton Oilers and led the league in goals the last two years.   

Several other athletes have burst onto the scene at young ages and made significant contributions. For example, Odell Beckham Jr. In 2015, Patrick Mahomes in 2018, and Jordan Spieth in 2015, just to name a few.   

Young athletes that contribute like they are veterans are rare; however, whenever they appear, they shine and make a fast name for themselves.