Having Kylian Mbappé and Jonathan Ikoné as attacking partners: this is something that many footballers would dream of.
Cyril Zabou, 24, had this chance.
Also from Bondy in Seine-Saint-Denis, the FC Chambly striker started football in the green and white jersey of the local club, like the two internationals.
And, if he is two years older than them, he has regularly played in the same teams as them, in Poussins, Benjamins and U 13.
“When they were doing their second year in a category, they were always outclassed in the upper category, explains the one who arrived in the Oise this summer, from Bourges (N 2).
So I played with them for more than a season.
Ikoné played on the left, Mbappé on the right and me in the center.
It's not bad, all the same (smile)… ”From an early age, the talent of future cracks had therefore jumped in the eyes of their coaches, like those of Zabou.
“They were already above at the time, assures the Camblysien.
Everyone knew they would reach the professional level.
It was as if it had already been done… They had a level that did not correspond to their age.
Technically and mentally, they were ready.
They were there to score and to win.
I remember that the club had a tournament every year, we won hands down.
In Benjamins in particular, we scored a lot.
I also scored quite a bit, it must be said that I was really well served (laughs).
"
Head for PSG for Ikoné, Clairefontaine for Mbappé
Obviously, the reputation of the two child prodigies will not take long to exceed the borders of the commune of Seine-Saint-Denis.
"There was already a certain excitement around them, especially Kylian, from the Chickens category," Zabou confides.
Despite everything, the latter remembers teammates "who did not have a big head and who did not consider themselves different from the others.
The rest of their journey will still distinguish them from their former partners.
At barely twelve years old, Jonathan Ikoné left Bondy to join the PSG training center.
A year later, Kylian Mbappé joined INF Clairefontaine, then AS Monaco.
Cyril Zabou, he will continue his classes in the neighboring clubs of Drancy and Bobigny.
And this Wednesday evening (9:10 p.m.), if the Lille resident has not been selected this time by Didier Deschamps, the Parisian faces Ukraine in a friendly match with the national team, at the Stade de France.
While the Camblysien prepares the two friendlies scheduled by his Ligue 2 club during the international break, this Thursday in Lens (L 1) then the next day in Amiens (L 2).
The Picard striker has lost contact with the 2018 world champion, but still frequently corresponds with Ikoné by messages.
He also ran into him when he came back for a walk in the Bondy Nord neighborhoods.
And it is a look full of benevolence that Cyril Zabou carries on his childhood friends, who became stars of the round ball.
“I'm happy for them, it's a source of pride for our city and for me too to have worked with such players,” he appreciates.
I only wish them the best, that they rise even higher.
Afterwards, I don't necessarily see them as stars.
For me, Mbappé and Ikoné are above all Kylian and Jonathan… ”
