Mbappé: France squad has most potential but must stay humble

Kylian Mbappé has helped lead France back into the World Cup semi-finals. Photograph: Martin Meissner/AP

Didier Deschamps’ decision to give the inspirational forward the captaincy has paid off, with no complacency on their run to the semi-finals.

The driving force behind France’s semi-final win over Morocco in 2022, Antoine Griezmann, was watching from the stands this time as Les Bleus powered past the Atlas Lions to reach a third consecutive World Cup semi-final.

The 35-year-old, who recently completed a move to Orlando City, had not attended a France match since his international retirement in 2024 following a brief stint as vice-captain.

When Hugo Lloris stepped down after the last World Cup, the captaincy had seemed destined for Griezmann, at the time Deschamps’ most loyal soldier. In what was arguably the most contested move of his tenure, the head coach handed the armband to Kylian Mbappé instead.

The decision to give the then-24-year-old the captaincy became the subject of national debate. Griezmann himself later admitted that being overlooked for the role after nearly a decade of service had been a bitter pill to swallow.

Three years later, however, as Mbappé led France into a third consecutive World Cup semi-final with a goal—his eighth of the tournament—in the 2-0 win against Morocco, any arguments against his appointment have dissipated. Still only 27, the forward has embraced an all-encompassing role as the team’s leader, on top of his goalscoring duties.

Seniority and Perspective

One of the overarching themes of Mbappé’s World Cup has been his seniority. The captain is one of two players in this year’s squad—alongside Ousmane Dembélé—to have been involved in the previous two campaigns. N’Golo Kanté and Lucas Hernandez, the other two World Cup winners in the squad, both missed the tournament in Qatar due to injuries.

In his various media appearances at this year’s World Cup, Mbappé has been keen to highlight the experience he has accrued from playing in two full editions already. As the team’s progress in the United States increasingly draws comparisons with previous French teams, the forward has sought to bring perspective.

“I’ve been world champion and I’ve been runner-up, and this team is neither one nor the other,” he said after the win over Morocco. “As it stands it’s not the best team I’ve played in, but it might be the one with the most potential, the one with which we can look to the future more easily. This is a team that we can dream with, although the best teams are those who win.”

Kylian Mbappé scored his eighth goal of this World Cup in France’s quarter-final victory. Photograph: Ayman Aref/Jna Press/Nexpher/Zuma Press Wire/Shutterstock

Lessons from the Past

His cautious approach stems from his experience as part of star-studded French attacks in past tournaments. Les Bleus entered Euro 2020 with a forward line of Mbappé, Griezmann, and Karim Benzema—one that L’Équipe labelled “the envy of every country” on a pre-tournament front page—only to crash out against Switzerland.

“We’re well aware of the potential of this team, but that’s not what wins you matches,” Mbappé added. “We’re confident when we step out on to the pitch, but we still have to prove ourselves before being called invincible, or whatever superlative you want to use.”

Mbappé’s image back home may have taken a hit after his acrimonious exit from Paris Saint-Germain, but support for the Real Madrid man is unquestionable when he pulls on a France shirt.