It’s not often Bafana Bafana Bafana captain, and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams is star struck, but Kylian Mbappé isn’t your regular athlete.
At 23, Mbappe has already achieved a great deal of success. He won the World Cup with France, four Ligue 1 titles, was awarded the Ligue 1 Golden Boot winner on three occasions, and was a Footballer of the Season recipient and clinched several cup competitions with PSG.
Williams has conceded that Mbappe is now his new favourite French star after meeting up with him following Bafana’s 5-0 defeat to France in an international friendly on Tuesday evening in Lille. Mbappe scored a brace.
“I was lucky to get the superstar’s jersey [Mbappe], and Fagrie Lakay got the pants. Mbappe is so humble and nice, I mean N’Golo Kanté and all of them, we enjoyed it,” said Williams.
“We all knew what Mbappe could do, but now seeing it first hand, it is amazing. It is crazy how good he is. He does everything at such a high level, and I don’t think I have seen anyone so rapid, so quick and still be in control of the ball.”
The SuperSport United goalie was not the only Bafana player star stuck as several SA players were seen taking pictures with the France players after the game.
“I mean all of them are superstars; I mean Paul Pogba, he just comes, his presence, oozes with confidence and everything looks so easy to them, and that’s the level they are playing at,” he added.
Williams also believes the 5-0 hammering was a lesson, and playing against France was an ‘eye opener’.
“We can compete at this level if we can try to reflect and be better.
“We always say we have the talent but do we work hard enough to try to be at this level, so this is an eye-opener for most of us to use our talent.
“And there is so much more we can achieve if we want to challenge and be seen, play in Europe and rub shoulders with the best. That’s how you became a better player,” concluded Williams.
