At Real Madrid’s training ground, a glimpse of the future of football was on display as Kylian Mbappé donned the Meta Vanguard AI-powered smart glasses. Football is rapidly evolving with technology, and the French forward is at the forefront of this transformation, blending cutting-edge tools with elite performance.
The glasses, developed by Meta in collaboration with Oakley, combine Oakley Prism lenses for enhanced visual clarity with a 12-megapixel hands-free camera and an open-ear speaker system. Every sprint, dribble, and strike is recorded, offering instantaneous insights that help Mbappé fine-tune his technique.
By syncing with devices such as Strava or Garmin, the glasses provide live metrics including speed, stride rhythm, angles of movement, and foot placement. This allows Mbappé to identify subtle inefficiencies in his performance, enhancing both skill and precision on the pitch.
“I’m always looking for tools that give me an edge,” Mbappé said. “What Meta and Oakley have developed is remarkable because it pushes the boundaries of technology and training.” He emphasised that while improvement is essential, maintaining focus on the game is paramount: “This technology helps me improve without losing concentration during play.”
Mbappé’s on-field form has mirrored his training dedication. In France’s 4–0 victory over Ukraine, he scored twice, marking six consecutive international matches with a goal – nearly equalling Jean-Pierre Papin’s record of seven. Despite minimal rest, the team had to travel to Azerbaijan within 12 hours. Injuries kept Mbappé, Camavinga, and another key player out of the subsequent trip, yet his confidence in the squad remains high. “This is the most talented French team I’ve seen. Our potential is immense. We’re not yet at the strength of the 2018 or 2022 squads, but we can reach it,” he said.
