Kylian Mbappé: Aiming for History with France Ahead of Iraq Clash

Kylian Mbappé, the star forward for the French national team and Real Madrid, expressed confidence in his team’s readiness to continue their journey in the 2026 World Cup. He emphasized the significance of their upcoming match against Iraq in the group stage, asserting that France is on a steady path toward achieving its goals in the tournament.

The French team is set to face Iraq early Tuesday after kicking off their World Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over Senegal. In contrast, Iraq suffered a 4-1 defeat against Norway in their opening match.

During a press conference ahead of the match, Mbappé discussed the evolution of playing styles in modern football, noting that successful teams often inspire others.

He stated, “The winning team always attracts attention, just like Barcelona and Real Madrid did in the past and now Paris Saint-Germain does. Successful teams impose their ideas and influence how others play.”.

The French captain added that the national team has shifted towards a more offensive style compared to previous World Cups while maintaining technical stability by incorporating young talents recently added to the squad.

Regarding his own performance, Mbappé shared that he is currently in a great physical and mental state. He emphasized that his position on the field is not a significant concern as long as he can contribute to the team’s success.

He also praised teammate Michael Olise, calling him an exceptional player with a unique personality who pays attention to detail on the pitch. Mbappé highlighted that the chemistry among forwards is one of France’s key strengths.

Reflecting on his two goals against Senegal, he expressed happiness about contributing to the team’s victory but acknowledged that his performance does not fully reflect his capabilities, especially with much of the tournament still ahead.

In defense of fellow player Ousmane Dembélé, Mbappé firmly rejected criticisms aimed at Dembélé following their first match. He noted that Dembélé played an important role in the team’s collective performance despite not scoring or assisting any goals.

Mbappé revealed that facing Iraq will be particularly special for him as it marks his 100th appearance for France. He affirmed that representing his country remains the greatest honor of his career but stressed that winning and securing three points is paramount.

He also commented on Argentine superstar Lionel Messi’s recent hat-trick against Algeria, saying, “I knew he would score; he always does.”.

When asked about ongoing comparisons between himself and other global football stars, Mbappé acknowledged that both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are among the greatest players in history but reiterated that his focus is solely on helping France win another World Cup title.

In closing, Mbappé stated that he is not currently concerned with historical records or life after retirement. His primary goal is to enjoy participating in this World Cup edition and give his best for the French national team.