Kylian Mbappé Leads France with New Leadership Role at 2026 World Cup

Kylian Mbappé has demonstrated a spirit of selflessness during this edition of the World Cup, with the French team uniting around him as the driving force of the group. This new approach counters long-standing accusations of selfishness in his style of play.

Mbappé fully understands the significance of the World Cup. Since his debut at the 2018 Russia tournament at just 19 years old, he has been listed among the competition’s legends. This motivation has driven him to intensify his efforts and shine once again on the world stage, erasing memories of a disappointing season with Real Madrid.

Before the anticipated quarterfinal against Morocco, Mbappé had already scored seven goals in the tournament and aimed to break or had already broken several records, including becoming France’s all-time top scorer with 63 goals in 103 appearances. He recognized the necessity of securing the entire squad’s confidence to pursue the dream of a third star for France, which involved redefining his leadership role within the team.

Following his two goals in the round of 32 victory over Sweden (3-0), Mbappé stated, "I am confident in my style of play, where I come from, and what I must do."

Mbappé’s Evolving Playing Style

On the field, Mbappé’s style has shifted toward a more collective approach. This was evident in his two assists to Dembélé during the group stage win against Norway (4-1) and in his defensive support during critical moments, addressing previous criticism about neglecting defensive duties.

Off the pitch, signs of maturity are clear. At 27 years old, Mbappé has become the first to defend his teammates openly.

His composure remained intact despite provocations and aggressive behavior from Paraguayan players in the round of 16 match (1-0), where opponents resorted to illicit tactics to unsettle him. Instead of reacting angrily, the number 10 responded to insults and fouls with smiles and sarcasm.

At the final whistle, Mbappé mocked the Paraguayan players and deliberately avoided shaking hands with their goalkeeper Orlando Gill, then proceeded to salute the French fans alongside his teammates, embodying the role of a genuine captain.

After the match, Mbappé condemned the racist remarks directed at him by Paraguayan parliamentarian Celeste Amaria, describing her words as "vile" and "disgraceful for her position."

Transformation into Team Captain

When Didier Deschamps appointed Mbappé as captain in 2023 following Hugo Lloris’s retirement, many questioned the decision, with Antoine Griezmann appearing the more deserving candidate at the time.

Mbappé’s initial official tournament as captain, the 2024 European Championship, did not showcase leadership qualities capable of guiding the team. However, his role changed dramatically during the 2026 World Cup, to the extent that social media compared him to General Mobutu, the authoritarian ruler of Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) from 1965 to 1997.

On Saturday in Philadelphia, fans were seen wearing shirts depicting Mbappé in a military uniform.

Following the victory over Paraguay, Deschamps defended Mbappé, stating, "Mbappé has not changed. You want to portray him as a dictator, but he is far from that. He even shares players’ complaints with me, which do not necessarily concern him personally. To be a calm leader, you must not have personal issues, and that is exactly what Mbappé embodies."

Mbappé’s actions are now interpreted through this lens, such as his visible frustration when only half of the field was cleared after the storm that interrupted the match against Iraq (3-0) on June 22 in Philadelphia. He requested technicians to remove water from the side of the pitch where the French attackers operate.

Mbappé has developed an exceptional relationship with Deschamps, which took on a new dimension during the recent World Cup. After scoring the opening goal against Sweden, Mbappé immediately embraced Deschamps to express sympathy following the loss of the coach’s mother. Deschamps reciprocated by bowing to Mbappé upon his substitution, a rare gesture in Deschamps’s 14-year tenure as France’s coach and a tribute to a "super player" who holds a unique place in the national team.