Online Reporter
Kylian Mbappe has been on Lionel Messi’s heels as both players break new ground in World Cup scoring, but the Frenchman is more obsessed by lifting the trophy in New York on July 19 than becoming marksman supreme.
The 27-year-old netted a double as Les Bleus crushed Sweden 3-0 in the round of 32 on Tuesday to move one shy of Messi’s record 19 goals at World Cups and join him on top of the scoring charts in this edition with six.
“I think the goal, as I said, is to go as far as possible – o make it to (the final on) July 19th and come back here,” Mbappe, who scored his 18 goals in 18 games, told reporters.
“We’re trying to win; we’re taking it one step at a time. Of course, the more goals you score, the higher you climb in the rankings – I’m not telling anyone anything new there.
“But I’m also convinced that Leo is going to score more goals, so I don’t focus too much on that. I’m more focused on the opponents we might face and how close we’re getting to our goal: the final.”
Messi’s Argentina face minnows Cape Verde in the last 32 on Friday. France next take on Paraguay for a place in the quarter-finals, where they would face either co-hosts Canada or Morocco.
Paraguay took an ultra defensive approach against Germany to knock the four-times world champions out on penalties in the last 32 on Monday and there is little chance that they will go out swashbuckling against France in Philadelphia on Saturday.
Les Bleus will not take anything for granted and will do their homework, Mbappe warned.
“I think we’ll keep working between now and the Paraguay match to see what we can improve, because there are still some sequences that aren’t quite clear enough, there’s room for improvement,” he said.
“Still, I think it’s positive overall, and our ability to score goals means we always have the chance to take the lead in matches.”
Meanwhile, Mbappe said France had united behind coach Didier Deschamps after the death of his mother.
“I think that reflects the spirit of this group – it’s part of our DNA. We are all together,” Mbappe told French broadcaster beIN Sports.
“We know the coach has been through a difficult experience; unfortunately, everyone goes through that at some point and it’s very hard.
“There are things that are more important than football, but he needs to know – and he already does – that through this gesture from the entire team, he can see he will never be alone with us, and whatever happens, we’ll be there to support him.” Deschamps missed the 4-1 win over Norway last week in Foxborough after flying back to France.
In his absence, assistant coach Guy Stephan took charge, as he did for a UEFA Nations League game in 2022, following the death of Deschamps’ father.
The former France captain, who will step down as coach of Les Bleus at the end of this World Cup after 14 years at the helm, said he was touched by the team’s response.
“Obviously on a personal level Kylian’s gesture moved me a lot. He’s our captain, and I’m not saying good things about him just for the sake of it, it’s because he’s been exemplary from day one,” said Deschamps.
“The group stayed united, they did what needed to be done when I wasn’t there, and it was better for me and for them that I wasn’t there.
“And from the moment I came back, they knew I was with them. But it’s a very good thing. The mindset of a group doesn’t win matches, but I know all too well that it can make you lose them.” – Reuters/SuperSport
