Wilfrid Mbappé (Father):: A former youth soccer coach at AS Bondy for two decades, originally from Cameroon. He now serves as a soccer advisor to Kylian.
Fayza Lamari (Mother):: A former professional handball player in the French first division, of Algerian descent. She is the president of Kylian's company, Interconnected Ventures, handling all contract negotiations and commercial deals.
Family Separation:: Wilfrid and Fayza separated in 2021, but continue to co-parent and manage their sons' careers together, recently attending the 2026 World Cup as a unified support system.
Three Soccer Sons:: The couple share three children — Kylian (born 1998), Ethan (born 2006), and adopted son Jirès Kembo Ekoko (born 1988) — all of whom are professional soccer players.
Why This Matters:: The Mbappé family story illustrates how a strong support system and sports heritage can shape a world-class athlete's trajectory. Understanding their background provides insight into the values and work ethic that drive one of soccer's biggest stars.
Wilfrid Mbappé dedicated two decades of his life coaching youth soccer at AS Bondy, a club in the Parisian suburb that has become a breeding ground for French talent. During his tenure, the club developed stars like William Saliba and Jonathan Ikoné alongside Kylian himself. Kylian joined the club's youth team at just six years old, inspired by watching his father coach his older brother.
> *"[My dad] was coaching my big brother, and all the time, I went to the stadium and I was like, 'Yeah I wanna do like them.'"* — Kylian Mbappé to WSJ. Magazine, September 2022.
Fayza Lamari's athletic pedigree is equally impressive. She competed as a professional handball player in the French first division during the late 1990s, earning a reputation as a fierce competitor. Jean-Louis Kimmoun, the club's former president, described her as a "symbolic figure" who was "a fighter" on the court.
After her playing career, Fayza transitioned into sports administration, working as a coordinator in Bondy's recreation department. Today, she is the president of Interconnected Ventures (formerly KEWJF — an acronym for Kylian, Ethan, Wilfrid, Jirès, and Fayza), the company that manages all of Kylian's commercial and marketing arrangements, as well as other investments. In July 2024, the firm acquired a majority stake in Ligue 2 club Caen.
When Fayza confirmed the couple's separation in October 2021, it sparked widespread media attention. Kylian later addressed the scrutiny on the French talk show *Clique*, calling it "a national divorce, a French divorce." He emphasized that both parents are happy and that "it ended well." Despite the separation, Wilfrid and Fayza remain a unified front, attending World Cup 2026 matches together in New Jersey and Pennsylvania to support their sons.
The Mbappé household produced three professional soccer players. Eldest son Jirès Kembo Ekoko, adopted from Zaire (now DRC), played for Stade Rennais, Al-Nasr (Dubai), and Bursaspor before retiring in 2019. Kylian and Ethan briefly shared the pitch at Paris Saint-Germain during the 2022-23 season — a rare brotherly moment in professional soccer. Ethan now plays for Lille OSC in Ligue 1.
Who This Affects Most: Aspiring young athletes and their families can learn from the Mbappé model — a family-first approach where parents leverage their own sports experience to build a structured, professional support system for their children's careers.
What is Wilfrid Mbappé's background?
Wilfrid is originally from Cameroon and was a youth soccer coach at AS Bondy for 20 years. He now acts as a soccer advisor to his son Kylian.
What did Fayza Lamari do before managing Kylian's career?
Fayza was a professional handball player in the French first division and later worked as a coordinator in Bondy's recreation department. She now serves as the president of Kylian's company, Interconnected Ventures.
Are Wilfrid and Fayza still together?
No, they separated in 2021. However, they continue to work together managing their sons' careers and have been seen supporting Kylian at the 2026 World Cup.
How many children do Wilfrid and Fayza have?
They have three sons: Jirès Kembo Ekoko (born 1988, adopted), Kylian (born 1998), and Ethan (born 2006). All three are professional soccer players.
What is Interconnected Ventures?
It is Kylian Mbappé's company, formerly known as KEWJF, which handles all his commercial and marketing arrangements. Fayza Lamari serves as its president. In 2024, the firm acquired a majority stake in Ligue 2 club Caen.
The Power of a Sports-Driven Family:: The Mbappé family demonstrates how athletic backgrounds in parents can create a natural pathway for children to excel in sports.
Professionalizing the Support System:: The family's structured approach — from coaching to contract negotiations — shows that talent alone isn't enough; a professional support network is crucial.
Separation Doesn't Mean Division:: Wilfrid and Fayza's continued collaboration after their divorce is a testament to putting family and career goals first.
Diversification Beyond the Pitch:: The family's investment in Ligue 2 club Caen shows how athletes can build long-term business legacies beyond their playing careers.
Kylian Mbappé's rise to the top of world soccer is undeniably a family affair. From his father's coaching on the local fields of Bondy to his mother's sharp business acumen at the negotiating table, the Mbappé family has built a blueprint for success.
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