Kylian Mbappe was spotted by Rennes before Monaco move

Kylian Mbappe’s route to Monaco included an often-overlooked connection with Rennes, the club that spotted him before his move to the Principality at the age of 14.

Before joining Monaco’s academy, Mbappe attended several training camps and a scouting tournament organised by Rennes. The Breton club clearly recognised his potential, but the young forward ultimately continued his development at Monaco rather than entering Rennes’ academy system.

Had the move happened, Mbappe would have joined one of France’s most productive youth pathways. Rennes have developed a succession of elite players, including Ousmane Dembele, Eduardo Camavinga, Desire Doue, Adrien Truffert and Jeremy Jacquet.

Several graduates from that academy feature in Zinedine Zidane’s first France squad, reinforcing the club’s growing reputation for developing talent capable of reaching international level. Mbappe’s brief contact with Rennes is therefore a reminder of how close football careers can come to taking a different direction.

There was never a formal transfer or signed agreement between Mbappe and Rennes. Still, the episode remains a fascinating footnote in the story of a player who went on to become one of world football’s defining figures after beginning his senior career at Monaco.