Imagine France winning the World Cup and claiming its third star. It wouldn’t be shocking based on their level. Now imagine Kylian Mbappé finishing the tournament as its top scorer. Would he already belong in the conversation about the greatest French player of all time at just 27? It’s not a far‑fetched question. No one in France’s history has had this much impact across three major tournaments in such a dominant way.

A historic run unlike anything France has seen

Mbappé won the 2018 World Cup as a rising star, reached the 2022 final after scoring a hat trick against Argentina, and is now chasing his second title in the United States.

Yes, he missed a penalty — everyone is human — but superstars don’t miss twice. With a stunning, perfectly placed finish, the Real Madrid forward pushed France into its third straight World Cup semifinal. That alone is historic.

The Zidane–Platini debate is no longer untouchable

If Mbappé wins this World Cup, he enters the same room as Zinedine Zidane and Michel Platini — and he’s still years away from his prime. He has already become:

• France’s all‑time leading scorer
• France’s top assister
• France’s all‑time top scorer in World Cups
• A record‑breaker in nearly every category for Les Bleus

Is he as technically gifted as Zidane? Probably not. But his impact on the national team — the sheer weight of his performances, his consistency, his ability to deliver in the biggest moments — is already greater than almost every legend France has produced.

And he still has two more World Cups ahead of him.

If Mbappé lifts the trophy this summer, the debate won’t be hypothetical anymore. It will be unavoidable.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.