Kylian Mbappe: The entire PSG project rests on the shoulders of the world's most feared footballer

One day in 2013, Monaco technical director Riccardo Pecini was sitting in his office when the club's head of recruitment arrived with a list of 10 teenage footballers and a DVD.

"He said that none of these players would cost any money to sign – except one, called Kylian Mbappe. And when I saw the fee, it seemed a bit much to me," Pecini told GOAL.

"But the head of recruitment said to me, 'You have to see him'. So, we watched the player together and I said, 'Whatever we have to spend, we'll spend! Go straight there!'

"He jumped on a plane, went to the home of the boy and quickly returned with Mbappe and his family!"

The point of the story? Some players are predestined, as they say in Italy. Their potential is obvious, the path to superstardom clear.

Manchester United's players knew that they had just been run ragged by a unique talent when they faced Sporting CP starlet Cristiano Ronaldo in August 2003.

Charly Rexach was so sure that he had a legend in the making on his hands that he effectively signed Lionel Messi for Barcelona by making a formal commitment to the player’s father on a restaurant napkin in December 2000.

Mbappe's origin story will be told with the same level of reverence in years to come.

He was always going to be great. And he knew that himself.

"I have had a career plan since I was young," he admitted to RMC.

And for the kid that used to have posters of Ronaldo on his bedroom walls, the end goal was to emulate his idol by being crowned the best player on the planet.

Mbappe has yet to achieve that particular objective but a first Ballon d'Or is now within reach.