Didier Deschamps Breaks Silence on Kylian Mbappe's Controversial Attitude
France's head coach Didier Deschamps has come to the defense of Kylian Mbappé against criticism of his supposedly "self-centered" approach, arguing that all forwards require this type of mentality to achieve greatness.
The 27-year-old experienced a mixed debut campaign at Real Madrid—claiming only the FIFA Intercontinental Cup in December 2024—but excelled in front of goal, scoring 31 La Liga goals to secure the Pichichi Trophy in his inaugural season.
Mbappé is now playing under his third coach at the Santiago Bernabéu, with Álvaro Arbeloa taking over from Xabi Alonso in early January, and continues to excel in his central striking position. However, he faces ongoing criticism from those who question his team commitment due to his reluctance to track back defensively.
This viewpoint doesn't resonate with Deschamps, who supported Mbappé during his appearance at the Festival du Journalisme Sportif Laval-Mayenne—a sports journalism event in western France.
"If you expect him to cover at least 11 kilometers each match, forget it, he won't do that." Deschamps, who plans to step down after the 2026 World Cup, commented.
"However, he possesses other attributes that are crucial and game-changing... Kylian—regardless of personal opinions—is adored by young fans. You see the perception of a self-serving, individualistic player, and naturally a striker must be somewhat selfish, but I guarantee you that with the French national squad, he behaves like a true leader."
Mbappe's Apparent Ego
Mbappe's Apparent Ego
Former Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti had previously defended Mbappé, declaring in November 2024 that the French star is remarkably grounded. "Mbappé possesses no ego whatsoever. None at all," he informed L'Equipe. "He joined us [Real Madrid] and immediately blended seamlessly with the squad, connecting well with his colleagues and building strong bonds. He arrived with an exemplary attitude."
Nevertheless, Mbappé's tally of 40 goals this season hasn't silenced critics in the stadium and across social platforms. He's faced scrutiny from analysts regarding his perceived lack of defensive contribution—something that becomes magnified whenever Real Madrid drops points.
Mbappé has also faced discipline from Deschamps personally. He was omitted from France's October 2024 roster to manage his playing time, but remained absent the following month due to disciplinary reasons.
Most recently, he was unavailable for France's match in Iceland citing an ankle problem, though this didn't prevent him from featuring for Real Madrid six days afterward. Mbappé then sat out France's victory in Azerbaijan, explained as "right ankle inflammation." Once again, he appeared for Real Madrid that same week.
Mbappe's On-Field Impact Remains
Mbappe's On-Field Impact Remains
Despite concerns about his national team dedication, Mbappé's international statistics are impressive. He has netted 55 times in 94 caps and approaches the World Cup with dual ambitions—capturing the trophy with France and becoming the tournament's leading scorer of all time.
Miroslav Klose presently holds this distinction, having found the net 16 times across four World Cup campaigns, but Mbappé has already accumulated 12 goals from his two tournament appearances. Success at the 2018 World Cup in Russia included four strikes, while Mbappé claimed the Golden Boot in 2022 after netting eight goals en route to another final.
Regrettably for Mbappé, his hat-trick—featuring two goals in regulation and a 118th-minute penalty that forced extra time—proved insufficient as Argentina prevailed, finally delivering Lionel Messi his first World Cup triumph in an illustrious career.
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