Kylian Mbappé (25 years old) is looking for a coach. Not for the French team, nor for Real Madrid, but for his fantasy team. The captain of the Blues is launching a new campaign with Sorare, a virtual club management simulation platform, and is starring in a video with his brother Ethan, who boasts about having a better team than his own. So, the former PSG player is launching a call for candidates to become the coach of his club in an operation called “Kylian Mbappé FC”.
“I don’t think Ethan will win this time”
“I’ve always loved football games that combine club management and team coaching, like Sorare,” the 2018 World Champion said in a statement. “Sorare players are constantly scouting talent, adjusting their rosters, and building competitive teams for tournaments. They juggle the roles of club owner and coach. I can’t wait to meet the winner to discuss football, strategy, and scouting, and see if they can convince me, because they will now represent me.”
With the mission to do better than his younger brother. “Ethan was better than me on Sorare this summer simply because he practiced more,” he adds. “But now I will have an expert to help me on Sorare. The rivalry has always been a key part of my relationship with Ethan. The rivalry will now be on the pitch, and I don’t think Ethan will win this time.” The two players will also cross paths in real life as Lille and Real Madrid will face off in the group stage of the Champions League (October 2 in France).
Launched in 2018, the simulation game Sorare aims to form the best team of five players and compete with other players. If the first cards are offered, players must then buy others to form the best formation and compete in competitions and obtain rewards. Each card (NFT, for non-tangible token) is unique and has a fluctuating value depending on its rarity, supply and demand.
A system that encourages speculation and can lead to high expenses. Mbappé’s investment in the company Sorare in 2022 had raised some questions as the French international, concerned about his image, had refused to partner with certain sponsors of the French team such as sports betting, warning of the risks of gambling addiction. Sorare prides itself on being one of the “fastest-growing startups in Europe” after recently “raising $680 million (€616 million) in a Series B financing round, with a valuation of $4.3 billion (€3.9 billion)”.
- RMC Sport
