Mbappe has reached 18 World Cup goals, surpassing Klose (16 goals) and trailing Messi by just one goal. The French striker could potentially equal or surpass Messi's record to become the top scorer in the world's biggest football tournament. He could even do so in the 2026 World Cup. If he doesn't succeed, Mbappe still has the 2030 World Cup, or even the 2034 World Cup at the age of 36. Messi, on the other hand, is unlikely to participate in another World Cup.
The World Cup is like a safe haven for Mbappe. Public opinion may criticize him in club competitions or the EUROs, but absolutely not at the World Cup. In the summer of 2018, the teenager made his world debut by bringing the gold trophy back to Paris. In 2022, he played the hero, carrying the French team, winning the Golden Boot and scoring a hat-trick in the final. This year's World Cup, he is still shining brightly in the US with 6 goals in 4 matches.
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Mbappe celebrates after scoring a goal against Sweden. Photo: Getty |
Among France's star-studded attack, Mbappe remains the number one representative. Even the reigning Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele or young stars Desire Doue and Michael Olise have not yet reached the status, nor have they been labeled as the expected "guaranteed" star like Mbappe.
"He possesses a global aura because of his ability to decide matches," coach Deschamps praised his pupil.
Public opinion has been skeptical about Mbappe's performances for PSG or Real Madrid. Social media has even circulated AI-generated images and videos mocking him as a dictator, accusing him of wielding dark power and manipulating the dressing room. He's been criticized for being lazy, selfish, not contributing to defensive duties, and only caring about personal achievements instead of team success. But as soon as he plays for the national team, wearing the Les Bleus jersey, Mbappe gets to play true to himself. He's like a treasure to France, and coach Deschamps always protects him at all costs.
“Mbappe isn’t here to defend. He understands what the World Cup is like and isn’t someone who doubts his own ability to create,” coach Deschamps responded to criticism of Mbappe. He asserted that Mbappe could disappear for an entire match, but with just one moment, he could completely change the course of the game. Surely no one has forgotten how Mbappe, with just a volley, shook the entire Argentinian team in the final nearly four years ago, almost ending Messi’s World Cup campaign once again.
In the near future, Mbappe may strike fear into even more defenses. He will break and set new records, just as he did recently: the youngest player to reach 100 appearances and extend France's all-time goalscoring record; the first player to score seven braces at the World Cup…
There will always be reasons to criticize outstanding players like Mbappe. But doing so to Mbappe at the World Cup so far has been very difficult. As long as he continues to compete in this tournament, Mbappe will likely continue to shine.
Recently, on the Instagram platform of Nike – Mbappe's long-time partner – former French football star and actor Eric Cantona issued a "ridiculous apology" on behalf of his younger colleague: "In a victory, he only scored… 2 goals. This dominance is beyond imagination. And I cannot guarantee this will not happen again. Thank you."
Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/the-thao/worldcup-2026/mbappe-se-la-cau-thu-vi-dai-nhat-world-cup-1047071
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