META
Kylian Mbappé, the French soccer superstar who currently plays for Real Madrid, has teamed up with Oakley and Meta for their new Meta AI-powered smart glasses, The Oakley Meta Vanguard.
The revolutionary AI glasses are built for high-performance athletes, featuring Oakley’s Prizm lenses that deliver sharp vision in any weather, a built-in 12MP camera that allows for 3K hands-free video capture, and open-ear speakers for music and calls.
The Vanguards also connect seamlessly with Garmin watches and Strava, giving you real-time performance tracking and data-rich video sharing.
We spoke with Mbappé to learn about his partnership with Meta & Oakley,how he uses the AI glasses to help him train, and how he thinks young athletes could use the glasses to hone their skills.
What drew you to team up with Meta and Oakley for these performance AI glasses?
I’m always looking for any edge that helps me improve as a competitive athlete. What Meta and Oakley have created is exciting because it pushes the limits of how athletes train and connect with technology. It is about using innovation to enhance performance while staying completely present in what you are doing. That spirit really spoke to me.
What’s your favorite colorway/frame for the Oakley Meta Vanguards?
My favorite pair is the Prizm™ 24K lenses with the black frame. From the moment I put them on, I felt like they were built for movement and real performance. Since I spend so much time outdoors, they feel perfect for my lifestyle and the conditions I train in.
What is your favorite feature within the Oakley Meta Vanguards?
One of my favorite features is the hands-free camera. I can capture my own perspective during training without ever stopping to grab my phone. There’s also a camera mode that lets me capture my dribbling and shooting training in slow motion, which is great! It lets me relive and analyze moments I have never been able to see this way before.
POV: You’re the 🐐 #KMbappé practicing kick-ups wearing the new @Oakley Meta Vanguard Performance AI glasses 🕶️⚽️🔥
In what creative ways have you used the glasses’ camera and AI to capture footage?
It’s a great opportunity for me to look back at actions or training sessions and see things I couldn’t analyze before. The Meta Oakley Vanguards let me review movements from my own point of view — whether it’s a run, a dribble or a finishing sequence. It helps me correct small technical details and understand exactly how I can improve. Seeing these moments in a new light gives me a different kind of feedback, one that’s really useful for progressing.
How do you use the Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses to enhance your on-field performance, and what specific features do you find most useful during training sessions?
During training, I use voice commands to ask Meta AI about my pace or heart rate, which keeps me focused on the field instead of checking a watch or screen. The glasses work with Garmin and fitness apps, so I get real-time stats through the open-ear speakers. After training, the Meta AI app gives me summaries and insights that help me adjust and improve my performance for my next workout.
You’re known for your speed, have you used the Vanguards to track your top speed while sprinting?
Yes, I use them often to track my speed during sprint drills. I get instant feedback right after each acceleration, which is really useful. I can then watch the clip with the data displayed on the screen and analyze my stride and acceleration. It helps me spot small technical details that make a real difference.
With open-ear speakers, what’s your favorite thing to listen to during training sessions or while wearing them in general?
Music has always played a very important role in my life. I used to play when I was a kid, and since then it has become part of both my preparation and my moments of disconnect. Music helps me stay focused and connected to myself. With the Meta Oakley Vanguards, I can take that feeling with me everywhere. I listen to a wide range of artists, but rap is definitely the genre I enjoy the most.
What’s your favorite use of Meta AI functionality for everyday life outside of training?
Outside of training, I use the glasses for everyday things like making calls or staying connected when I’m on the move. It keeps everything easy without having to pick up my phone all the time.
How could you see these glasses helping young athletes improve their football skills?
For young players, these glasses could be a great learning tool. They can record their drills, ask Meta AI for feedback, and instantly see how they are moving. It helps them understand not just what they did but how they did it.
Have teammates asked to try your Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses?
Yes, a few teammates have already asked to try them out just out of curiosity. They find it funny to see how they work, and it always makes us smile to watch them try them for the first time.
What features would you like to see in future versions?
I’m excited to see how Meta and Oakley keep building on what is already an amazing product. It would be great if future versions could bring even more personalized insights