Kylian Mbappe reveals secret behind World Cup success as he becomes just fourth footballer to appear on cover of Time magazine

KYLIAN MBAPPE has revealed the secrets behind his World Cup success: Respect, humility and lucidity.

The young superstar lifted football’s biggest competition when France beat Croatia 4-2 in the World Cup final in Moscow in July.

Paris Saint-Germain ace Kylian Mbappe is just the fourth footballer to appear on the cover of Time magazine

Mbappe was instrumental as France won the World Cup in Russia this summer

The 19-year-old – who earns a reported £1.3m per month – scored France’s fourth goal, becoming the first teenager to score in a World Cup final since legendary Brazilian Pele in 1958.

Mbappe, who turns 20 in December, officially moved to Paris Saint-Germain from Monaco for £166m this summer and has the potential to become the best player of his generation.

And speaking to respected Time magazine, Mbappe says he will always remain grounded and never become big-headed regardless of what he achieves on a football pitch.

Mbappe, just the fourth footballer to appear on the cover of Time, said: “I have learned that the biggest stars and the greatest players are the most humble ones, the ones who respect people the most.

Mbappe, 19, was recently named on the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or

Barcelona legend Lionel Messi featured on the cover of Time in February 2012

Former Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli also made his mark on Time

“You always have to keep some lucidity. There are three criteria: respect, humility and lucidity.”

Mbappe earned worldwide respect when he gave away his £400,000 World Cup winnings to a charity teaching sports to sick and disabled children.

He said: “My mom has always told me that to become a great football player, you must be before all a great man.”

The forward is expected to play Iceland tonight in a friendly before facing Germany in Paris on Tuesday in a key Uefa Nations League tie.

Mbappe’s PSG team-mate Neymar was on the cover of Time in 2013

Yet he is realistic to know football is a fickle business and if he doesn’t perform over the next few years, he could easily be written off.

He said: “We can be the best and the world champions. And in four years, you are forgotten, because there is someone else who has arrived and done better than you.”

Mbappe started his career with AS Bondy and was clearly destined for the top from an early age.

Yet he says football consumed his life and prevented him from partying with his friends.

Mbappe, who has 20m Instagram followers, said: “My life has been totally turned upside down. I’m happy, and I am living the life I always dreamed of.

“I think I might have missed out on something. I did not have the moments of so-called normal people during adolescence, like going out with friends, enjoying good times.”

Les Bleus ace Mbappe banged in four goals against Lyon in Ligue 1 last time out

Teenage starlet Mbappe is currently preparing to face Iceland in the Uefa Nations League

“I was right away in the world of adults, grownups. They immediately demanded that I behave like an adult.”

Mbappe has an older adoptive brother, Jirès Kembo Ekoko, a Congolese immigrant who plays in Turkey.

He admits his family have been the driving force behind his sensational career.

Mbappe said: “We have always been very close. Very much a family, all together at home, all at the table eating together. We have never given that up.

“They have always been there to help me, whether it was my first match in Bondy or now in front of 80,000 spectators. That is a real support. And it can be felt on the field.”