After a record-breaking debut season with Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappe is taking some well-earned downtime — and he’s doing it in style.
Despite Real Madrid missing out on silverware in La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup — all scooped up by rivals Barcelona — Mbappe’s first season at the Santiago Bernabeu was nothing short of spectacular. The 26-year-old striker shook off a slow start to finish with an eye-popping 42 goals across all competitions, smashing Iván Zamorano’s club record for most goals in a debut season. He also claimed his first European Golden Shoe, a personal milestone that made headlines across Europe.
With the season behind him, Mbappe was spotted over the weekend enjoying the glitz and glamour of the Monaco Grand Prix. The French superstar returned to familiar territory to catch the race and rub shoulders with fellow sporting elites. Among those in his circle was Lando Norris, fresh off his Grand Prix victory, and NBA star Jimmy Butler, who seemed thrilled to meet Mbappe in person.
Butler, known for his love of football, has been a longtime admirer of Mbappe. Back in 2021, during a GQ Sports interview, he even joked about wanting to play for PSG and competing with Neymar for the No. 10 shirt. Seeing him finally meet Mbappe in Monaco was a full-circle moment — and a reminder of how deeply football and basketball cultures continue to intertwine.
Opinion: Kylian Mbappe off-season social calendar shows he’s not just a global football icon, but a magnet for stars across all sports. After a historic season, he’s earned the right to celebrate among champions.
