Kylian Mbappe believes the current France side is more talented than the one that claimed the World Cup in 2018.
Mbappe was a key figure seven years ago as Didier Deschamps’ side won the tournament in Russia, becoming the second teenager after Pele to score in a World Cup final as Les Bleus beat Croatia 4-2 in Moscow.
That team was stacked with great players, including Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante and Antoine Griezmann, but the Real Madrid striker sees more promise in the present crop.
Asked if the current team is the most talented he has played in, Mbappe told L’Equipe Magazine: “The most talented, yes. The strongest, not yet. The one with the most potential, yes. It is infinite.
“In all positions, we have players who are starters for the best clubs in the world. But as a team, we are not stronger than the team that was world champion in 2018, or than the one that made the final in 2022.
“Does this team have the potential to be the best team? 100%. Will it be? It’s up to us to do it. We must have ambition with players of this quality.”
The new generation in France are fearless – Mbappe
With the likes of Raphael Varane, Griezmann and Olivier Giroud now retired from international football and Pogba attempting to relaunch his career at Monaco, there is a new generation of French player coming through.
“They are not really afraid of anything,” said captain Mbappe, who is one of the senior players at the age of 26. [Bradley] Barcola, Désiré Doué, Rayan Cherki, Malo Gusto, Warren [Zaire-Emery], etc.
“They know where they are and they also know that they deserve it, with the humility of coming to the national team. But they didn’t steal the place from anyone. If the coach, at 2 pm on Thursday, said their name, it was because they showed people that they were good enough for a place. And it’s good for a squad. They bring enthusiasm, freshness. They push the elder players.”
Deschamps has already announced he will leave his role following next summer’s World Cup finals with Zinedine Zidane the overwhelming favourite to take over.
Mbappe believes the 1998 World Cup winner is the leading candidate and would welcome his arrival.
“No-one would say no [to Zidane getting the job],” Mbappe said. “He is the only one who can say no. If it’s him, okay, but if it’s someone else then okay too. But he is the only one in the history of French football who has almost all the credentials.”
France lucky to beat Iceland last night
France top World Cup qualifying Group D after last night’s fortuitous 2-1 win against Iceland.
Mbappe scored one and made another as Les Bleus made it two wins from two in the pool although it was far from straightforward at the Parc des Princes.
Missing Doue and Ousmane Dembele due to injury, France fell behind when Andri Lucas Gudjohnsen capitalised on a Michael Olise error to put the visitors ahead.
Mbappe equalised from the penalty spot and then laid on Barcola to score the winner.
France had midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni sent off with 20 minutes to go and Gudjohnsen thought he had grabbed a late equaliser only for his effort to be ruled out by VAR for a foul on Ibrahima Konate.
Deschamps paid tribute to Mbappe after the game, saying: “He puts in a lot of effort, offers solutions and is effective.
“He’s a very good leader for the whole group.”
France next face Azerbaijan at home on October 10 and Iceland away three days later.
