1998: The year which gave France their two World Cups

The year 1998 will be etched in France's football history as the 'golden one'. For the first time ever, they won the coveted World Cup trophy. Under Jacquet Aime, and with players like Zinedine Zidane, Emmanuel Petit, Thierry Henry and Fabien Barthez.

Aime's team conceded a mere two goals throughout the tournament, and netted an impressive 15 goals. Their success was drived by a dependable defense, reliable midfield and a potent attack.

When they beat Brazil 3-0 in the final on 12 July, it became the greatest ever day in the nation's football history. But little did they know that five months and eight days later, the country will give birth to a player who will spearhead the nation to their second World Cup title.

On December 20, 1998, Kylian Mbappe was born. And the rest, as they say, is history!
 

The young attacker scored a goal and played a huge part in his nation's 4-2 win against Croatia in the final of World Cup 2018, which took place 20 years and a few days after their first triumph. It was a collective display of France which earned them the major trophy.

But Mbappe had a major role to play in the success!

Playing on the right of the front three, the 19-year-old wrecked havoc using his pace and trickery. Whenever France wanted to attack, they would play the ball to Mbappe, who'd stretch the game with his pacey runs.

His real contribution in terms of goals started in the knockout rounds. Against Argentina in the round of 16, the Paris Saint-Germain forward scored a brace to eliminate the 2014 finalists. 

In doing so, he became just the second teenager ever to score a double in a World Cup match. The other was none other than Pele. 
 

And in the final, he again matched the record of the Brazilian great. After scoring France's fourth goal, Mbappe became just the second teenager to score in a World Cup final.

His performance in the tournament earned him the 'Young Player of the Tournament' award. The boy, who grew months after his nation's maiden World Cup, guided France to their second success.