​After enduring two seasons at Real Madrid without lifting a major trophy, Kylian Mbappe still has a chance to claim a title before beginning his third campaign with the Merengues—the World Cup 2026. The French star is pushing hard to secure this prize this summer, and with eight goals and three assists so far, he has helped push France to the semi-finals of the competition. His goal-scoring prowess has never been in question. Even though he did not win a major trophy with Real Madrid, Mbappe emerged as the Pichichi winner in both of his first two seasons in Spain and also captured the European Golden Boot at the end of his debut season with the club.
Yet Mbappe has not been immune to criticism, much of it centering on perceived leadership struggles with Vinicius Junior and his attempts to become the focal point of Real Madrid’s attacking play. His name has also been linked to the managerial upheavals that occurred at the club last season. In recent days, he again played a crucial role for France, scoring the opening goal and then assisting Ousmane Dembele for the second in a 2-0 victory over Morocco in the World Cup 2026 quarter-finals. As MARCA noted, Didier Deschamps, the French national team coach, addressed some of the skepticism surrounding his star forward and underscored his leadership qualities.
Deschamps did not mince words, declaring Mbappe an exemplary captain: “Many people think Kylian is some kind of dictator who only thinks about himself, but as captain, he’s exemplary. He shows it through everything he does on the pitch, beyond all the goals he scores.” In recent years, Mbappe has evolved into a more complete player, demonstrating a willingness to contribute defensively and, in doing so, becoming a more rounded modern forward. This openness to taking on more defensive duties signals a continued effort to refine all facets of his game, with the aim of delivering even greater impact for club and country.
Deschamps’ remarks—arguably one of European football’s most veteran voices—emphasize that Mbappe offers far more than goals. He leads by example through his performances, professionalism, and demeanor on the field, reinforcing his value to the national team and his potential to influence matches beyond scoring. As Mbappe nears the start of another season with Real Madrid and a continued World Cup campaign on the horizon, the narrative around him shifts from controversy over leadership to recognition of his growing all-around influence. His trajectory suggests that he can evolve into an even more complete forward, one who can shape outcomes for both club and country while continuing to chase silverware on the global stage.