In the land of blockbusters, the release of the third part of Kylian Mbappé at the World Cup is scheduled for this Tuesday, at 9 p.m. After “the origins” in 2018, when he revealed himself to the eyes of the world in Russia, and “the confrontation”, in 2022, in a legendary final against Lionel Messi’s Argentina in Qatar, “the mission” corresponds well to the state of mind of the captain of the France team, as he begins the 2026 World Cup, near New York, against Senegal.
His mission, which he obviously accepted, is to bring the Blues back to the roof of the world, as he promised in a message on social networks just after the lost final, four years ago. Kylian Mbappé only lives for these moments, these suspended times, these peaks where the great players do not fear asphyxiation. The World Cup is his backyard, a competition in which he has already scored 12 goals, including four in two finals. In the United States, he can surpass Just Fontaine (13 goals), the French record holder in this area, and perhaps beat the record of the German Miroslav Klose (16 goals).
Involvement in group life
“Catharsis” can also be the title of this third part, although less salesy. Because Kylian Mbappé arrives with revenge after a dark and trophyless season at Real Madrid, even if he finished top scorer in La Liga for the second consecutive season with 25 goals. His physical problems (knee, thigh) are finally behind him. Didier Deschamps and the Blues know this better than anyone: without an Mbappé at the top of his game, they will have difficulty claiming the supreme title. “He has this ability to transcend everyone a little, it’s he who gives us the example,” assured Aurélien Tchouaméni, his teammate at Real Madrid, during the preparation.
The captain has been particularly involved in his role since the start of the gathering. As a true leader, he communicates regularly with new people to facilitate their integration. He also brought the voice of his teammates to the leaders of the FFF in the negotiations around the bonuses granted to players based on the progress of the Blues (bonus which will be paid from the round of 16) and the number of places for the matches available to relatives.
He didn’t have the effectiveness but he told me he had saved it for the United States, so that’s fine with me
This seriousness does not prevent him from a little lightness. Kylian Mbappé is not the last one to bother his partners in training. In a sequence for the American channel Fox, he gently made fun of the clothing worn by some of his teammates during the parade upon their arrival at the Château de Clairefontaine. As the competition approaches, the attacker therefore appears in the best physical and mental condition.
Obviously there remains the terrain. Who will remember these moments of relaxation if France is eliminated quickly, if Mbappé does not respond to the immense pressure weighing on his shoulders? The captain failed to score against Ivory Coast and Northern Ireland before crossing the Atlantic. Nothing to worry about for his coach though. “He didn’t have the effectiveness but he told me that he had saved it for the United States, so that suits me,” Deschamps smiled last week. His counter therefore still remains stuck at 56 goals for the French team, only one unit short of Olivier Giroud’s record. Here’s another mission in this World Cup.
New involvement in defense?
His involvement in group life would also find an extension on the field, with a recent confidence on his defensive game so often criticized. “I need to take an extra step in defense. I’m ready to do things well because I want the World Cup at all costs! I have always been demanding. “It’s something that’s important for the teams and I think I have to do it,” he told Le Parisien.
The France team will always be stronger with Kylian Mbappé
PSG culture, in the wake of Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué and Bradley Barcola, shaped by the demands of Luis Enrique, is gradually irrigating the Blues. Mbappé understood this well. It is also a way of responding to criticism of its ability to adapt, to find other means than speed and finishing to influence the offensive play of the France team.
Didier Deschamps, who made a strong choice in 2023 by entrusting him with the captain’s armband coveted by Antoine Griezmann, put an end to all debate. “I have always thought, and I repeat it today: the France team will always be stronger with Kylian Mbappé,” assured the coach in an interview with the Spanish newspaper Marca. Sit back, grab a drink and a packet of popcorn, “Mbappé III, the mission” is now.
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