Kylian Mbappé’s eighth goal of the tournament secured France’s place in a third consecutive World Cup semi-final as Les Bleus defeated Morocco 2-0. The victory served as further vindication for Didier Deschamps’ decision to appoint the 27-year-old as captain ahead of Antoine Griezmann following Hugo Lloris’s retirement after the 2022 tournament.
When Lloris stepped down, the armband appeared destined for Griezmann after nearly a decade of service to the national team. However, Deschamps instead handed the responsibility to Mbappé, sparking national debate. Griezmann, who recently joined Orlando City after retiring from international duty in 2024, admitted the snub was a “bitter pill to swallow”. Three years later, with France progressing to the last four in Dallas, any criticism of the appointment has dissipated.
Veteran presence
Mbappé has now scored 20 goals in 20 World Cup matches across three campaigns, leaving him uniquely placed to guide a squad containing few survivors from previous tournaments. Only Ousmane Dembélé joins him in having featured in the last two World Cups, whilst fellow winners N’Golo Kanté and Lucas Hernandez both missed the Qatar edition through injury.
The Real Madrid forward has embraced a mentorship role, urging humility among teammates despite their attacking potential. Referencing France’s Euro 2020 exit against Switzerland – when an forward line featuring Mbappé, Griezmann and Karim Benzema failed to live up to expectations – he cautioned against complacency. “I’ve been world champion and I’ve been runner-up, and this team is neither one nor the other,” Mbappé said after the Morocco victory. “As it stands it’s not the best team I’ve played in, but it might be the one with the most potential.”
Semi-final preparations
As France prepare for their semi-final in Dallas, Mbappé has stressed the importance of respecting the tournament’s history to younger squad members. “As a player, nothing is bigger than playing in the World Cup,” he said. “This country has a history in the World Cup. They need to know about it, and know the pressure that comes with playing for France.”
Despite an acrimonious departure from Paris Saint-Germain that damaged his domestic reputation, Mbappé’s standing with the national team remains unquestioned. His ability to handle defensive attention, media scrutiny and leadership duties has silenced early doubters, with Les Bleus now two victories away from a second World Cup triumph in three tournaments.