Eight goals. Two assists. Two consecutive World Cups.
Kylian Mbappé has executed the gargantuan task of consistently performing at the highest level in two back-to-back World Cups. According to Opta, Mbappé is the only player on record since 1966 to bag such numbers in two different tournaments — with eight goals and two assists in both 2022 and 2026 so far.
Of course, the 2026 World Cup is far from over, and Mbappé’s numbers are likely to continue rising. It helps his cause that the French national
team look sharp and ruthless. They have progressed to the semifinals after a 2-0 win over African giants Morocco. Mbappé has played a key role in France’s performance this year, and he will certainly continue his pursuits for as long as France is in the tournament.
But how did he get here?
2018. Russia. The then-19-year-old Mbappé had just made his World Cup debut with France. A rising talent with Paris Saint-Germain, he had been with the national team for the past year.
Mbappé’s foray into international football is rather interesting. Noting his performances with Monaco, manager Didier Deschamps had called him up for the World Cup qualifier against Luxembourg. A few months later, the teenager had registered his first goal against Netherlands and the very day, also made his big money move to PSG.
Many would argue that it was the World Cup that turned Mbappé from promising youngster to global superstar. The striker scored his first goal against Peru in the group stage, scored a brace against Argentina in the knockouts, and in the final against Croatia. Even before the final, fans and pundits alike raved about his talent — no teenager barring Pelé in his youth, had ever scored in a World Cup knockout game.
This tournament ended with Mbappé a World Cup winner at 19, and he subsequently received the FIFA Best Young Player Award.
Then came 2022. The veterans behind whom he played in 2018 were either injured or played very different roles. Take Antoine Griezmann. The Atlético Madrid player had by then begun playing in a deeper role. Karim Benzema was injured, and so was Paul Pogba. The only senior striker left was Olivier Giroud, who played a crucial role in the World Cup later. However, the absences necessitated that Mbappé step up, and so he did.
The story behind the numbers we see now — the 10 G+A is not just that of Mbappé, but of a whole team, whose setup fed their star goalscorer. It was Giroud rallying the troops and Griezmann supporting him from behind, that led him to even bring these numbers. He was tasked with creating big chances and scoring them. He was not required to track back or defend — all that was asked of him was to stay high up and work with Griezmann in the final third. In 2018, he was making big runs. In 2022, he let Giroud handle the defenders, and he handled the finishes.
Mbappe has in fact, acknowledged that it was the French veteran who made his goals happen.
“I play in a different role for the national team. I have more freedom here because Giroud occupies the defense as the #9… I’m happy about the image right agreements, it wasn’t just me but I’ll gladly be in front of the stage if it’s beneficial for my teammates,” he said, speaking to L’Equipe in 2022.
Now, the final part. Present day.
In the most poetic fashion, Mbappé’s career ascent has played into his World Cup performances. Now in his third World Cup, he is arguably the most complete version of himself. He has changed, not his speed, but his decision making. His runs are better timed, his shooting has vastly improved, his game intelligence shines through his position, he is far more patient and economical with his energy than ever. From a teenager trusted to make explosive runs, to a young attacker entrusted with goal-scoring, he has now turned an attacker the team can rely on.
His numbers are the result of years in refinement. But most importantly, behind them is a manager who gladly worked with his skill-set, and teammates who obediently carried out what was asked of them. Whether or not France wins this World Cup, Mbappé’s statistics paint the picture of someone who has already won. The numbers are not merely numbers. They hold in them, the story of an attacker who kept growing, and a team that grew with him.
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