🔗 Share this article

It can be difficult being the brother of a professional footballer - especially when your older sibling happens to be one of the best athletes globally.

The younger Mbappe, aged 18, is the sibling of Real Madrid superstar Kylian, who is eight years older. This represents a significant legacy to step out of.

Both players played for Paris St-Germain at the same time, but when Kylian decided to depart the Parisian club at the end of his contract and move to Real Madrid last summer, Ethan's contract was similarly not extended with the team.

Now at Lille and recently scoring his first goal for the club, Ethan is set to come up against PSG on Sunday, and will aim to make the headlines against the team where he began his professional journey.

Walking in Kylian Mbappe's Footsteps

Scoring grab the headlines, so considering Ethan's position is in midfield he is unlikely to surpass his brother in that area.

But the young player is seen as an exciting talent in his own capacity.

His mentality was commended as he broke through from the PSG youth system, appearing to handle effectively with the pressure that came with the Mbappe surname.

"He is a balanced, polished kid who is respectful even if he is obviously in the influence of his brother, which is not easy for him. But I find him composed and with a strong character. I find that he manages this expectation rather well."

Recognized for his football intelligence, calmness on the ball and distribution skills, Ethan impressed the coaches at PSG and was given his league debut at just 16, entering as a substitute late in a 3-1 win against Metz, with Kylian having scored two of the goals.

"Ethan is a very interesting player who can play in several positions," Paris St-Germain manager Luis Enrique commented after that game. "I am sure he will feature more. He has a famous last name, which is challenging to live up to."

Overall, he made five appearances for PSG before departing at the end of his contract last summer, although there was some controversy around his departure.

Kylian has previously implied that Ethan failing to receive a renewed deal at PSG was linked to his choice to depart and move to Real Madrid, and was prepared to instead stay at the Paris club if it meant his brother got a contract extension there also.

"It's the thing that affected me the most," Kylian said. "He [Ethan], didn't ask for anything. His dream club was PSG. What Real represented for me, his youthful aspiration, was PSG."

Forging His Own Career Path

Ethan's first season at Lille was hampered by injuries, which denied him the chance to face his brother in a Champions League match last September.

"My aspiration of facing my brother in the Champions League is far off, but it has not vanished," Ethan said on online platforms after he was ruled out of that match.

Ethan managed just a few of first-team appearances last season but now fully fit, he will aim to establish himself as a first-team regular.

He has recently reached a important landmark by scoring his first goal for Lille earlier this month - an stoppage-time volley to secure a 2-1 win against Toulouse.

That dramatic winner briefly put Lille at the summit of Ligue 1 and although they have since dropped to sixth, Ethan continues to participate in the senior squad, having completed two additional league appearances.

With Lille participating in the Europa League this season, there will be little chance for Ethan to fulfill his dream of facing his brother in a official game just yet, but that provides him the opportunity to focus on making a name for himself in his own right.