France dreams of winning its third title, in the last tournament under coach Didier Deschamps. Deschamps had launched Mbappe’s international career when he was eighteen in 2017, before Mbappe starred in the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Mbappe scored four goals in the 2018 edition, including a goal in the 4-2 win over Croatia in the final. He also won the title of top scorer in 2022 in Qatar with eight goals.
His brace against Senegal raised his tally to 14 goals in 15 World Cup matches, a goal rate that explains why Deschamps described him as “exceptional.”
Mbappe, who scored 42 goals in 44 games with Real Madrid this season, is now tied with German legend Gerd Muller on the list of the best scorers of all time.
He is preceded only by Brazilian Ronaldo (15 goals) and German Miroslav Klose (16). Mbappé will aim to break this record before the end of the group stage.
