Mbappe prioritises World Cup glory over personal scoring milestones
France forward Kylian Mbappe has stressed the immense challenge of winning the FIFA World Cup, saying he hopes his experience from previous tournaments can guide Les Bleus to another title after their triumph in Russia in 2018.
During an interview with French broadcaster M6, Mbappe reflected on his country’s contrasting fortunes at the last two World Cups, where France lifted the trophy in 2018 before finishing runners-up to Argentina after a penalty shootout in the 2022 final.
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“I know how difficult it is to win a World Cup. The years go by, and you have to keep your motivation and excitement intact. Those are important things in a World Cup to go far,” he said.
Scoring milestone
The striker has netted 12 goals across his two World Cup campaigns and is in contention to challenge the tournament’s all-time scoring record during this year’s competition. Nevertheless, he made it clear that collective success matters far more to him than individual achievements.
“I’d do it in a heartbeat. I’d sign up for that. I’d be the first to celebrate on the Champs-Élysées,”
he responded when asked whether he would accept winning the World Cup without finding the back of the net.
Mbappe reiterated that bringing the trophy home remains his ultimate objective.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play in two World Cups and go far, as well as perform at a high level. Of course, I want to continue making history. But what I want most is to return to France with the World Cup trophy,” insisted the striker.
The 27-year-old also highlighted his role in helping younger members of the squad cope with the pressures that come with football’s biggest tournament.
“I’m very happy to be playing in this World Cup and to help the young players, especially emotionally, but when you look at the quality of the year, you can see I’m not going to teach my teammates how to play football,” explained Mbappe, who believes you need more than talent to lift the trophy.
Adequate preparation
According to Mbappe, success at a World Cup depends not only on ability but also on mental strength, preparation, and team unity.
“You have to know how to manage the pressure. Everyone has to arrive at the World Cup in top form. And building a team isn’t easy,” he added before highlighting the dangers of the knockout stages.
He concluded by reminding his teammates that a single poor performance can end a nation’s dream, making emotional control a crucial factor throughout the competition.
“A World Cup isn’t a home and away affair. One bad game sends you home. We have to control our emotions. These are messages I try to give every day, because we haven’t done anything yet,” Mbappe advised.
