Critics Circling, France’s Mbappe Turns to Favourite Stage

Monday, June 15, 2026

Kylian Mbappe will captain France in their World Cup opener against Senegal amid criticism of his leadership following a trophyless season at Real Madrid. With the tournament marking coach Didier Deschamps' final competition and Mbappe poised to challenge multiple scoring records, France looks to him to lead the team toward a potential title.

Kylian Mbappe faces France’s World Cup opener against Senegal on Tuesday amid scrutiny following a challenging season. The French captain concluded his campaign at Real Madrid as La Liga’s top scorer but ended without securing any trophies. His recent performances, leadership, and conduct off the pitch have sparked debate, particularly after Real Madrid fell short in both the Champions League and the domestic league title race.

Since taking over as France captain in 2023 from Hugo Lloris, Mbappe’s leadership has come under question. Among his critics is 1998 World Cup winner Frank Leboeuf, who has publicly doubted whether Mbappe is the right figure to lead Les Bleus. These criticisms have added to the pressure surrounding the nation’s premier football talent ahead of the tournament.

Despite the external skepticism, support within the French camp remains strong. Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, a close teammate and friend of Mbappe, described the criticism as unfair, emphasizing Mbappe’s positive role within the team. “The criticism towards him is very, very unfair,” Dembele said in an interview, noting that such scrutiny often goes beyond reasonable bounds. Defender Lucas Hernandez echoed this sentiment, highlighting Mbappe’s focus and motivation ahead of the World Cup despite the surrounding noise.

France enters the tournament as one of the favorites, with coach Didier Deschamps preparing for his final competition in charge of the national side. This World Cup presents Mbappe an opportunity to reaffirm his status on football’s biggest stage. Historically, the forward has excelled in World Cups, scoring 12 goals in 14 matches. He stands just four goals shy of Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals, the all-time highest. Additionally, another goal at this tournament would see Mbappe tied with retired striker Olivier Giroud as France’s all-time top scorer, each holding 57 goals.

France’s group features Senegal, Iraq, and Norway, and expectations are high for Mbappe to lead the team’s quest for the trophy. His World Cup record underscores his ability to deliver when it matters most, giving coaches, teammates, and fans hope he can quiet critics and steer France to success in Qatar.