**With Critics Circling, Mbappe Turns to Favourite Stage at World Cup**
As the 2023 FIFA World Cup approaches, Kylian Mbappe finds himself under intense scrutiny as he prepares for France's opening match against Senegal on Tuesday. The pressure mounts for the country's star player, who has faced criticism following a challenging season with Real Madrid, where he finished as La Liga's top scorer but left empty-handed in terms of trophies.
Mbappe's recent performances have raised questions, particularly after he failed to score in warm-up matches against the Ivory Coast and Northern Ireland. His leadership qualities have also come under fire since he took over the captaincy from Hugo Lloris earlier this year. Notably, former French international Frank Leboeuf has expressed doubts about Mbappe's suitability as captain, adding to the narrative of uncertainty surrounding the young forward.
Despite the swirling criticism, support for Mbappe remains strong within the French national team. Ousmane Dembele, a Ballon d'Or winner and close friend of Mbappe, has come to his defense, labeling the criticism as "very, very unfair." Dembele emphasized that the scrutiny on Mbappe has become excessive, stating, “Some people overdo the criticism because he’s Kylian Mbappe. They shouldn’t keep going after him. He’s still a human being.” He also noted that Mbappe has shown strong leadership qualities within the team.
Defender Lucas Hernandez echoed Dembele's sentiments, asserting that Mbappe is fully focused on the upcoming tournament despite the external noise. "When you’re Kylian Mbappe, everyone looks at everything you do, on the pitch and off the pitch," Hernandez remarked. He expressed confidence that Mbappe would use the World Cup as an opportunity to silence his critics.
France enters the tournament as one of the favorites to win, and with Didier Deschamps at the helm for his final tournament as head coach, the stakes are high. Mbappe's track record in World Cup competitions is impressive; he has scored 12 goals in 14 matches, placing him just four goals shy of Miroslav Klose's all-time record of 16 goals. A strong performance in the tournament could not only elevate France's chances of success but also solidify Mbappe's legacy within the national team.
In Group I, France will also face Iraq and Norway, providing Mbappe with additional opportunities to demonstrate his capabilities on the world stage. As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on the young captain to see if he can rise above the criticism and lead his team to glory.