Kylian Mbappé has outlined his determination to become a more complete player as France prepares for the upcoming World Cup, admitting in an interview with Le Parisien that he must improve his defensive contribution to help Les Bleus achieve their ultimate goal.
The Real Madrid star acknowledged that his game still has room for growth despite an already glittering résumé that includes a World Cup title, multiple domestic trophies, and a World Cup Golden Boot.
“I have to take another step forward defensively.
I’ve always been demanding of myself, and I think I need to improve in that area. It’s important for the team, and I’m going to do it,” Mbappé said.
The French captain made it clear that his commitment to improving defensively is tied directly to France’s ambitions on the biggest stage.
“It has to start at this World Cup because we want to win it. I’m ready to do things right because I want it at all costs,” he added.
“I’d sign up to not score a single goal in exchange for winning the World Cup. I’d do it quickly,” Mbappé stated.
The forward is still carrying the pain of France’s dramatic defeat to Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final. Although Mbappé produced one of the greatest individual performances in World Cup history, scoring a hat-trick in the final, France ultimately fell short in a penalty shootout.
Reflecting on that heartbreak, he admitted that the loss remains difficult to accept.
“It’s very difficult to lose a World Cup final. We did everything we could only end up losing on penalties. I don’t believe in luck; penalties are a technical skill, but they are still the cruellest way to lose a final,” Mbappé said.
