⚽ Football Reborn: The Manager from the Future
Chapter 20 – Mbappé's Race: Parisian Nights and Syndicate Lights
Paris, France.
The Eiffel Tower gleamed in the distance, but Ethan Ray had no time for sightseeing.
He wasn't here for beauty.
He was here for speed.
🧠 TARGET: KYLIAN MBAPPÉ
Age: 11
Location: Bondy, northeastern suburb of Paris
Estimated window before Syndicate approach: 48 hours
Parent profile: Wilfried Mbappé – former player, youth coach, fiercely protective
Projected development: World-class striker with unmatched acceleration
Current club: AS Bondy Youth
The AI's projection was clear: if Kylian Mbappé slipped through Ethan's fingers, the balance of football history would shift in the Syndicate's favor.
And Ethan couldn't let that happen.
He arrived in Bondy just before dusk, the sun dripping behind row houses and broken asphalt.
The pitch was packed with kids — some in boots, others in sandals, some in nothing at all — but one stood out immediately.
Kylian Mbappé.
Not because of his size. Not because of his strength.
Because he moved like he couldn't wait for the future.
He flew past defenders. Accelerated like he had rocket fuel in his blood. Stopped on a dime, pulled off a roulette, and fired a left-footed shot that bent between two trash cans and kissed the metal pole used as a makeshift goalpost.
The local coach blew his whistle.
"Kylian! Leave some moves for the others, hein?"
The boy just grinned.
After training, Ethan approached the sidelines. He knew better than to speak to the kid first.
The gatekeeper was his father — Wilfried Mbappé — watching from a folding chair with a cigarette and sharp eyes.
"Bonsoir," Ethan said. "Vous êtes Wilfried?"
Wilfried looked him over.
"Oui. And you are?"
"My name's Ethan Ray. I run a youth project in England. I'd like to talk about Kylian."
Wilfried raised an eyebrow. "You and the rest of Europe."
"I'm not a scout," Ethan said. "I'm building something different."
Wilfried took a slow drag. "That's what the last one said. Offered us a condo in Monaco and a spot at Clairefontaine."
"I'm not offering you a condo. I'm offering Kylian a chance to play with Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar — right now."
Wilfried laughed. Not because he didn't believe it — but because part of him wanted to.
"Messi and Ronaldo are in Spain, monsieur."
"Not anymore."
Ethan handed him the tablet.
The screen showed training footage from Darlington: Messi threading impossible passes, Ronaldo leading sprints, Neymar juggling behind his back. Jude Bellingham tackling like a future general.
Kylian's potential teammates. His future rivals — and allies.
Wilfried stared.
Then narrowed his eyes. "What's the catch?"
"There's no catch. But there is a race."
That night, Ethan met the Mbappé family in their modest flat. The Syndicate hadn't contacted them yet, but the AI detected external surveillance from a nearby hotel.
⚠️ TRACKERS CONFIRMED
2 Syndicate agents identified
Recording van located at 312 Rue des Lilas
Directive: Obfuscate target movement
Time was running out.
Ethan presented the full package:
– Family housing in Darlington
– Private French-language tutor
– European youth travel clearance
– Immediate training alongside elite talents
"Your son will grow into greatness," Ethan said, "but if he joins us now, he'll define it."
Kylian — still only eleven, but wide-eyed and hungry — looked at his father.
"Papa… this is real?"
Wilfried said nothing.
Then, quietly: "Maybe."
The next morning, Ethan's plan nearly fell apart.
As he walked the family toward his parked car, a black SUV screeched around the corner. Two men in suits stepped out — clean, polite, and terrifyingly calm.
"Mr. Mbappé?" the taller one said in French. "We'd like to speak to you about your son's future."
Ethan stepped forward. "They're Syndicate."
Wilfried hesitated.
The men held up digital files. "Everything you need is in here — full scholarship at Clairefontaine, relocation assistance, sponsorship pipeline to PSG."
"You see?" Wilfried said to Ethan. "This is what I'm talking about."
Ethan nodded.
"Let me show you one thing."
He turned his tablet and played a simulation: 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony. The AI-generated footage showed a 26-year-old Kylian Mbappé lifting the trophy — ahead of Haaland, ahead of anyone.
"Not a hope," Ethan said. "A design."
Wilfried stared between the agents and Ethan.
Then turned to his son.
"Kylian. What do you want?"
The boy didn't hesitate.
"I want to be first. Not next."
Wilfried nodded once.
And just like that — Kylian Mbappé stepped into the future.
✅ PLAYER SECURED: KYLIAN MBAPPÉ
Timeline: Stabilized +12%
Risk: Active pursuit by Syndicate
AI Notes: "They will retaliate."
As the plane took off back to England, Ethan looked across the aisle at his new recruit, already laughing with Jude and Neymar.
One more piece on the board.
But the game was changing.
Now the syndicate wasn't just watching.
They were angry.