Key Takeaways:
- Kylian Mbappé addressed the media before France’s second group match against Iraq
- Mbappé scored twice against Senegal last week and leads France’s rotating attack
- The Real Madrid forward defended Ousmane Dembélé amid criticism of his performance versus Senegal
Mbappé Discusses Versatility in France’s Attack
In anticipation of France’s second group stage fixture at this year’s World Cup against Iraq, team captain Kylian Mbappé met the press for the first time during the tournament. The striker, who began his summer campaign with two goals against Senegal last week, faced questions regarding his evolving role in France’s frontline. Despite being France’s current number nine, Mbappé emphasised his adaptability across attacking positions, noting his experience playing on both wings at previous World Cups. He explained that his effectiveness is less about the specific position and more about team dynamics and tactical approach depending on the opposition.
🚨 Kylian Mbappé: "Dembele not shining? I don't know about that, I watched the game again, and in the 1st half, I think Dembele was the BEST offensive player on the pitch.
Then, in the 2nd half, Olise and me, we were decisive, but Ousmane was important too.
He's very calm, he's… pic.twitter.com/PLFlQNAPlH
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) June 21, 2026
Backing for Dembélé after Recent Criticism
As France’s all-time leading scorer, Mbappé also took the opportunity to support Ousmane Dembélé, who faced scrutiny following his outing against Senegal. Mbappé explained that, after reviewing the match footage both independently and with the coaching staff, he considered Dembélé to be the top performer among France’s four forwards in the first half. He praised Dembélé’s ability to bring fluidity to France’s play, highlighting contributions that often go unrecorded by standard statistics.
Importance to the Team and Squad Confidence
Mbappé underlined how, despite Michael Olise and himself being decisive in the second half, Dembélé’s off-the-ball movement directly contributed to the build-up for France’s opening goal. Mbappé stressed that Dembélé remains composed and holds the confidence of both the squad and coaching staff, referencing his experience with the national side and status as reigning Ballon d’Or winner. He also noted Dembélé had been recovering from injury at the end of the season, reinforcing the winger’s commitment and importance for the team moving forward.
