Kylian Mbappé made an interesting point after France’s 2-0 World Cup quarterfinal victory over Morocco.
“This France team is not the strongest one I have played with, but it is the one with the most potential! I have always said that the best teams are the ones that win,” Mbappé said (as captured by 90Min.com’s Ilies Peters).
It is a fascinating quote because it reflects both confidence and perspective. On paper, this French squad might not have the same star power as the 2018 World Cup champions or the 2022
finalists. Those teams featured experienced leaders and established world-class talent across the pitch. This version of France, meanwhile, is built around a younger core that is still developing together.
Yet, potential can be just as dangerous as proven quality. France has looked organized, disciplined, and ruthless throughout this tournament. Players have embraced their roles, the squad has defended as a unit, and Mbappé continues to provide the kind of leadership and game-changing moments that separate contenders from pretenders.
Mbappé’s second point may be the most important one: the best teams are the ones that win. History rarely remembers which squad looked the strongest on paper. It remembers who lifted the trophy. If France continues stacking victories and ultimately wins another World Cup, this group will earn its place alongside the country’s greatest national teams regardless of preseason expectations.
Perhaps that is exactly what Mbappé sees. This team may not yet be France’s most talented collection of players, but if its ceiling continues to rise and the results keep coming, it could end up being remembered as one of the nation’s most successful generations.
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