Kylian Mbappe enters France’s World Cup opener against Senegal with one clear adjustment in mind: more defensive work. The France captain said he needs to take the extra step because it is important for the team, even as he sits on 12 goals in 14 World Cup matches and nears the world cup all time top scorers conversation.
“I need to take the extra step [with my defensive work] because it's something important for the team and I have to do it,” Mbappe said. “It will start this time because we want to win, and to win, I'm ready to do whatever because I want to win at all costs.”
Mbappe, Senegal, and France
France begin their World Cup campaign against Senegal on Tuesday, and Mbappe will do so in his first World Cup as captain after taking over from Hugo Loris in 2023. The shift puts him in a different role from the one he carried in previous tournaments, when his scoring often carried the load.
He is already on 12 World Cup goals after his hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final against Argentina. Another goal would move him level with Olivier Giroud as France’s all-time top scorer, a mark that sits within reach as the tournament opens.
Real Madrid and scrutiny
The added defensive focus comes with pressure attached. Mbappe, now 27, has faced scrutiny over his performances and leadership for club and country, and Ousmane Dembele said the criticism had gone “too far.”
His club season adds another layer. Mbappe moved to Real Madrid from Paris St-Germain in 2024, missed part of the season with a hamstring injury, and was La Liga’s top scorer in his second season at the club.
France’s opening stretch
The numbers behind his defensive game explain why the conversation has widened beyond goals. Mbappe ranked 1,350th out of 1,490 players in Europe’s big five leagues with a minimum of 19 league appearances for combined interceptions, blocks, tackles made and possession won, and averaged 0.14 tackles per 90 minutes.
France’s group also sends them on to Iraq and Norway after Senegal, so the captain’s willingness to do more without the ball gives France another layer before the scoring race tightens again. The next goal does more than add to his total; it would pull him alongside Giroud while France try to turn a star scorer into a more complete tournament leader.
