Kylian Mbappe and Didier Deschamps faced the press ahead of France’s UEFA Nations League clash with Croatia, with the French captain fielding questions.
The talismanic striker kept his focus firmly on the pitch, shrugging off stats and setting his sights on leading Les Bleus to victory.
“We need to play well, score goals, and win,” Mbappe said. “My aim is to help the team. As for my stats? That’s not something I lose sleep over.”
Reflecting on his return to the national side, Mbappe was all smiles. “It’s brilliant to be back with the lads,” he said. “I’m in touch with most of them all the time, and I’ve even gone on holiday with a few. Things might’ve looked murky from the outside, but inside the camp, it’s always been crystal clear.”
With the 2026 World Cup looming large, Mbappe’s ambitions are unmistakable. “I’ve said before, my mind’s on the World Cup in 2026,” he declared. “A tournament that big demands everything we’ve got. We want to prep properly and dream of lifting that trophy again as world champions.”
Feeling fit and firing, he added, “I’m in good shape, happy to be playing football and back with France.”
Mbappe didn’t hold back in praising teammate Ousmane Dembele, calling him a game-changer. “He’s massive for us,” he said. “I’ve always loved linking up with him, especially seeing him in top form. If Ousmane’s at his PSG level, we’ll win games. Together, we’re unpredictable, we know each other inside out.”
On the Ballon d’Or, Mbappe grinned and quipped, “I’ll have to ask Luka Modric how to win it!”, a nod to his Real Madrid teammate and Croatia’s maestro.
But it wasn’t all light-hearted. Mbappe condemned the racist abuse aimed at Wesley Fofana, saying, “It’s pathetic and sad that nothing changes. We’re behind him, he’s got our full support.”
He also addressed the banners targeting Adrien Rabiot during PSG’s clash with Marseille. “I spoke to Adrien, and he’s really shaken,” Mbappé revealed. “It’s tough, and it’s bigger than just this or PSG. We saw it with Bradley Barcola at Lyon too. I don’t get why they drag families into it, it’s a rotten habit. Talking about mums or dads? If I read a bad article, I’m not bringing your daughter into it. It’s absurd. This is happening too often now, and I hope it’s a wake-up call because we’re fed up. There are lines you don’t cross.”
Shrugging off criticism of his own form, he said, “I know what I’m good at and where I fall short. I’ve no issue with fair criticism. I didn’t play well against Italy, I’ll take that on the chin.”
Reflecting on a rocky spell, he added, “A career’s never a straight line. You have ups and downs, but you’ve got to refocus on what keeps you ticking.”
Dismissing comparisons with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Mbappe insisted, “I’m not here to replace them, they’re one-offs.”
He reserved special words for Croatia’s stars, including ex-Monaco mentor Danijel Subasic and current clubmate Luka Modric. “Subasic showed me the ropes at Monaco,” he said. “And playing with Modric at Real Madrid, he’s a living legend. Training with him every day is a privilege; he’s still got that hunger. It’s an honour to share the pitch with him.”
