The dilemma shaking the Mbappé family

Ethan Mbappé’s career is just beginning, yet it’s already shaped by a debate that goes far beyond football: which national team will he choose to represent? At 17, the PSG midfielder finds himself at the center of an emotional and sporting tug-of-war between Cameroon, Algeria, and France—three paths, three identities, all rooted in his family history. And in a world where every step he takes is viewed through the lens of the Mbappé surname, the weight of this choice grows even heavier.

In recent weeks, several reports suggest Ethan may be leaning toward Algeria, following his mother’s heritage, while Cameroon—his father’s home country—remains hopeful they can convince him. France, meanwhile, has kept quiet: they haven’t called him into their youth teams yet, but they aren’t eager to lose a talent with his potential.

The weight of the surname and the desire to write his own story

Comparisons to Kylian are unavoidable. One of the best players in the world, a World Cup winner, a global superstar—Kylian casts a long shadow over any choice his younger brother makes. Yet for many, that’s exactly why Ethan might choose a different route: joining a national team where he can build his own legacy instead of walking the same road France laid out for Kylian.

There is precedent. The Boateng brothers come up often: Jérôme with Germany, Kevin-Prince with Ghana. Each chose the identity that felt authentic to them, and both built successful careers without losing an ounce of family pride. Ethan could follow a similar path—especially if those around him feel France has already mapped out its future without him.

Algeria or Cameroon: roots, culture, and pride

Ethan representing Algeria feels like a natural possibility, tied to his maternal roots and a growing generation of North African talent. Joining a team led by players like Riyad Mahrez, in a football culture overflowing with passion and identity, would be a meaningful choice.

Cameroon, on the other hand, speaks directly to the family’s paternal history—the homeland Kylian has often said he hopes to honor “in some way,” and the jersey worn by legends such as Eto’o, Milla and Song. Emotionally, the pull of the Indomitable Lions carries its own powerful weight.

Both options go deeper than football. They touch identity and belonging.

The temptation of France and the pressure of a European giant

Then there’s France—the country where Ethan was born, trained and now plays. It’s the expected path, the one most French media assume he’ll follow, and also the toughest from a competitive standpoint. France is a powerhouse in every category, and the ecosystem surrounding Les Bleus can overwhelm young players with unrealistic expectations.

For a teenager still fighting for minutes at PSG, France could become a springboard… or a burden too heavy to carry.

An open future and a decision that will shape his career

One thing is certain: as of today, no final decision has been made. France hasn’t taken a definitive step, Algeria hasn’t locked anything in, and Cameroon refuses to give up. Ethan Mbappé stands at a crossroads where emotion, family roots and sporting ambition collide.

And while his last name multiplies the pressure, it also reminds him—just like Kylian—that he has the right to write his own story. The question now isn’t just which country wants him most… but where he truly feels he belongs.

When the time comes, his choice could become one of the defining chapters in the modern history of African football.