Kylian Mbappé's penalty secrets: Decoding the striker's technique
Following his decisive penalty against Paraguay, we analyze the evolution of Kylian Mbappé's penalty technique and his near-perfect record for France.
Kylian Mbappé égalise sur penalty durant la prolongation (3-3, 118e) lors de la finale de Coupe du monde perdue par la France contre l'Argentine (3-3, 2-4 aux t.a.b.), le 18 décembre 2022. (F. Faugère/L'Équipe) Les stats de Mbappé sur les penalties. (L'Equipe)
Kylian Mbappé has reaffirmed his status as a penalty specialist. In the match against Paraguay, the France captain confidently converted a spot-kick to secure a 1-0 victory. This success is just another testament to his clinical efficiency in the national team shirt: out of 15 attempts for France, he has converted 14, with his only miss dating back to 2020 against Kazakh goalkeeper Alexandr Mokin.
Mbappé's success is the result of rigorous mental and technical preparation. After a string of failures at club level in 2024, he completely overhauled his approach, focusing on finding joy in the duel against the keeper. Former PSG teammate and goalkeeper Alexandre Letellier explains that the secret lies in the run-up: "He starts fast and then slows down to strike at the very last moment. His run-up gives him the time to see if the keeper is anticipating a side and put it in the other."
His technical arsenal has expanded significantly. Former France striker Djibril Cissé highlights the uniqueness of his new method: "He has this new way of striking that makes the ball float. It's a complex movement that combines power, direction, and a floating effect. You need years of practice to control the ball like that."
Current statistics show a balanced distribution of his attempts: six to the right, seven to the left, and only one down the middle. In high-pressure moments, such as the World Cup final against Emiliano Martinez, the Frenchman often opts for the goalkeeper's right. His ability to mix up his placement and hold his nerve makes him a nightmare for any opponent.