Kylian Mbappé has been at the center of debates and criticism in recent months, but he answered in the best way possible on the pitch. In his opening match at the 2026 World Cup with the French team, the Real Madrid forward delivered a convincing performance against Senegal. Scoring twice, he played a crucial role in the Blues’ success (3-1) on this first day of competition.
After the match, Mbappé expressed his satisfaction while emphasizing the importance of starting strong in such a demanding tournament. “It’s always important to start competitions well, it brings a bit more peace of mind,” he said to M6. This victory allows France to approach the rest of the tournament with greater calm, boosting the team’s confidence.
Despite his remarkable performance, the French captain did not want to turn this evening into a showdown with his critics.
For several months, his performance and influence at Real Madrid have been hot topics. Some observers pointed out his lack of collective impact in a Madrid team that has gone two consecutive seasons without winning a major trophy, an unusual situation for a club used to success.
When asked about this performance, which could be seen as a response to the criticism, Mbappé firmly dismissed the idea. “There’s no revenge. If I start playing for everyone who criticizes me and to silence them, I’d have to play until I’m 80,” he said. This statement reflects his desire to stay focused on his sporting goals rather than external comments.
The 27-year-old also stressed the need to maintain emotional balance, whether reactions are positive or negative. “Whether people get fired up or criticize, we have to stay cool and stoic,” he added. This message illustrates the mindset adopted by the French forward, determined not to be influenced by the media environment surrounding him.
It’s worth noting that despite the criticism, Mbappé had a high-level individual season with Real Madrid. With 25 goals in 31 league matches, he finished as the top scorer in La Liga. However, some have criticized him for a certain individualism, arguing that his personal statistics do not always translate into improved collective performance for his team.
58 goals. 👑
A great pride to become the top scorer in the history of our national team, a country that has seen so many great players.
Thanks to all my teammates, the staff, and the FFF for the eternal trust since day one.
And thank you to you for… pic.twitter.com/lGtSG3d2Zo— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) June 17, 2026
His performance against Senegal also allows him to further etch his name in the history of French football. With his double, he became the top scorer in the history of the French team, solidifying his status as a legend of the Blues. But the forward isn’t stopping there.
Another prestigious record is now in his sights: the number of goals scored in the World Cup. With 13 goals in the competition, Mbappé is closing in on the all-time references in this area. He is just three goals away from Miroslav Klose, the all-time record holder, as well as Lionel Messi. However, the task looks tough since while the German has been retired for several years, the Argentine continues to write his legend. Proof of his current form, Messi also made headlines on Tuesday by scoring a spectacular hat-trick, keeping the pressure on his French rival in this race for records.
