Just 2 days after the World Cup final in Qatar, Kylian Mbappé will turn 24 years old. He has a huge challenge ahead of him to join Pelé as two World Cup winners before turning 24.
France will begin the journey to defend its world championship title from today and all French hopes are pinned on the PSG star.
Mbappe has been caught up in endless controversies since he refused to leave Real Madrid last summer to renew with the Parisian club.
But putting everything aside, this star is aiming to bring France to the World Cup throne for the second time in a row. With the number 10 shirt on his back, Mbappe is Les Bleus’s biggest hope.
And this striker is also having the best start of his career with PSG since the beginning of the 2022/23 season.
Benzema’s injury has made Mbappe the biggest hope for French fans. Injuries have plagued the French team for a long time (Pogba, Kanté, Kimpembe, Nkunku… and most recently Benzema).
But Mbappe seems capable of overcoming everything thanks to his ability to perform under pressure, as seen in these months at PSG.
The truth is that since asserting himself as world champion at the age of 19, Mbappe has continuously grown and together with his teammates recorded records that will go down in history.
He played 7 matches at the World Cup at the age of 24, only Messi’s record of 8 matches and equal to Ronaldo Nazario at the same age. The first Frenchman on this list is Platini, ranked 8th with 5 appearances.
Mbappe also followed in Pelé’s footsteps in terms of scoring ability. Brazil’s number 10 has 7 goals at the age of 24. In second place is Mbappe with Ronaldo Nazario and Beckenbauer with 4 goals and Maradona with 2 goals.
Mbappé also has to face a World Cup without Messi or Neymar as teammates like in the PSG club shirt.
However, he will have the opportunity to prove his ability in the context that Erling Haaland cannot attend the biggest football festival on the planet in Qatar.
The Norwegian’s excellent performances with Man City so far this season have taken away some of the media spotlight. And now it’s time for Mbappe to regain his position.
For the French team, it is not to underestimate Griezmann or Dembele, but Mbappe is the most important star. He needs to take advantage of this opportunity to score points in the Golden Ball race.
Without Benzema in the squad, every ball will be focused more on Mbappe. His teammates see a more successful player than in 2018 and with the ability to carry the entire team on his back.
Without the Real Madrid striker, everything indicates that the number 9 position will go to Giroud and Deschamps could switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Rabiot and Tchouaméni in the middle, a three-man attack with Dembelé, Griezmman and Mbappé and the Milan striker up front.
And behind them was waiting for Varane. Upamecano and Konaté will be central defenders if Man United players are not physically fit. Pavard and Lucas will play on both sides.
