Kylian Mbappe, arguably the most dangerous attacker on the planet, just admitted he needs to do more of the thing attackers hate most: defend.
The France captain told Le Parisien on June 15 that he needs to take “another step forward defensively” as his national team prepares for the 2026 World Cup.
What prompted the shift
The commitment didn’t materialize out of thin air. Private conversations within the French squad appear to have played a catalytic role, with teammate Ousmane Dembele reportedly urging Mbappe around June 7 to increase his off-the-ball work and contribute more to collective defensive efforts.
Mbappe has historically faced criticism for his lower defensive output relative to teammates.
