Kylian Mbappé arrived at this 2026 World Cup escorted by a flood of criticism. Justified criticism on the observation of a delicate season, where the number of goals scored at club did not necessarily compensate for certain attitude problems and some misunderstandings with Madrid supporters. And Parisian supporters could have fun comparing the sequences with those experienced during Mbappé’s last seasons at PSG.
But the World Cup is definitely the competition that inspires the French captain the most. No more grimace soup, make way for a once again unplayable Kylian Mbappé. Mediatically, he delivered a speech focused on the collective, always encouraging, using positive words and never belittling in spite of himself. On the pitch, he put together three successful performances. Not just because of his goals.
He is impeccable
Against Senegal, Iraq and Norway, he missed several opportunities. But he never played with his head down, he did not disperse to come back to get the ball too low, he again multiplies the calls from deep, he navigates again on the right side of the attack and no longer only on the left, he displays an exemplary attitude with an ability to exercise planning, with the bonus of some notable defensive returns. If this Mbappé had not ceased to exist for a while, he would never have accumulated so many detractors in recent months.
Because it is now impossible to reproach him for anything, the slightest gesture, the slightest word, the slightest pout. His sincere joy over Dembélé’s goals, his two assists, his positive communication on the pitch, all of this was again noticed against Norway. Fully invested in his mission, that of leading the French team to a new world title, Kylian Mbappé is flawless.
