Mbappé draws comparisons with KD after transfer to Real Madrid originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
Football star Kylian Mbappé has officially completed his free transfer to Real Madrid, with social media quickly comparing the move to Kevin Durant’s highly scrutinized decision in July 2016. decision to join the Warriors in NBA free agency.
Mbappé, widely recognized as one of the greatest football players on the planet, joins Real Madrid who have just won the UEFA Champions League for the second time in three seasons, with social media drawing a parallel with Durant joining Golden State right after back-to-back NBA Finals appearances.
Is Mbappe going to Madrid comparable to Kevin Durant going to Golden State?
-SK (@raptalksk) June 3, 2024
We officially say that Haaland won the debate. Haaland became City Ucl champion while Mbappe needs to join one. Football’s Kevin Durant https://t.co/hCzBbksxK7
— ً (@clinicalmusiala) June 2, 2024
Kylian Mbappe will be the Kevin Durant of football.
A world-class talent who joins an already established team that won every title before joining.
Just like Durant, he won’t be respected for all the trophies he will win at Real Madrid and that will bother him.pic.twitter.com/GHPywO99Z4
-Herman Waita (@HermanWaita) April 30, 2024
The comparison is interesting, it should be noted that Durant joined a Warriors team that had just lost the NBA finals, while Mbappé joined a Madrid team that had just won the world’s most prestigious club trophy without your services.
However, Durant has joined a team with reigning MVP Steph Curry, and Mbappé is joining a team with multiple Ballon d’Or candidates Vinicius Jr.
Mbappé, 25, has spent the last seven seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, winning the League 1 title – the top flight of French football – in six of those campaigns. Despite their domestic success, Mbappé and PSG were never able to secure the elusive Champions League trophy that Real Madrid won for a record 15th time last weekend.
The 25-year-old star is also captain of the French national team, serving as a key player in the country’s 2018 World Cup title. Mbappe did all he could in France’s 2022 World Cup final defeat to Argentina, scoring three goals before losing on penalties to Lionel Messi’s side.
Durant and Golden State have won two consecutive NBA Finals, falling just short of a third game after serious injuries derailed the Warriors’ 2019 championship hopes.
Pundits downplayed Durant’s accomplishments with Golden State — two Larry O’Brien Trophies and back-to-back Finals MVP honors — due to the talent the Warriors already possessed before his arrival. Will Mbappé follow the same standards if Real Madrid continue to dominate European football? Time will tell, but for now the comparison seems apt for many.
