Koné Backs Mbappé Ahead of World Cup: A Great Leader Unfazed by Pressure

Manu Koné, a star player for the French national team, has expressed his unwavering support for teammate Kylian Mbappé, asserting confidence in his ability to lead Les Bleus to success during the 2026 World Cup.

The French squad is gearing up to kick off their campaign with a challenging match against Senegal on Tuesday, June 16, as part of Group 9, which also includes Norway and Iraq.

All eyes are on Mbappé, the Real Madrid forward, who is eager to maintain his impressive form in the World Cup after shining in previous tournaments, despite facing recent criticism due to a dip in performance with his club.

In comments reported by Foot Mercato, Koné stated: “I don’t think there’s any additional pressure on Mbappé. He’s an exceptional player and always meets expectations, whether with the national team or his club.”.

He added: “We know he excels in major tournaments and he is determined to win the World Cup. He is our leader and will undoubtedly achieve great things.”.

Koné also sent a message to French supporters, emphasizing the importance of trust in the team’s abilities ahead of the tournament. He remarked: “We have played two different friendly matches and the results were not perfect, but what matters most is our preparation. We must believe in ourselves and our potential.”.

The French team hopes to start strong in the World Cup and compete fiercely for the title in this edition hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.