Kylian Mbappe is set to earn his 100th international cap for France when they face Iraq in a World Cup Group I match on Monday in Philadelphia. The 27-year-old Real Madrid forward will become the 10th French player to reach the milestone, though he remains far from the record of 145 appearances held by former teammate Hugo Lloris.
Historic Milestone at the World Cup
Mbappe, who made his France debut as an 18-year-old in 2017, has already become the country's all-time leading scorer with 58 goals, surpassing Olivier Giroud's previous record of 57 with a brace in France's 3-1 win over Senegal at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. He said, "It is always a pleasure to have the chance to play for your country. There is nothing bigger -- one hundred is a historic figure, and to have the chance to reach that tally here at a World Cup means it will be a special match for me."
Focus on Team Success
Despite the personal achievement, Mbappe emphasized the importance of the match. "The importance and the stakes of the match are what really matter and we need a win to go through," he insisted. France are favorites to advance to the knockout stages, and another victory would secure their progression.
World Cup Legacy
Mbappe has 14 World Cup goals from 15 appearances, just two shy of the tournament record held by Germany's Miroslav Klose (16), which was equaled by Lionel Messi when he scored a hat-trick for Argentina against Algeria last Tuesday. Mbappe said, "I knew Leo Messi would score goals, he always does. He has the record, I am just behind and I will keep trying to score goals. That will bring me closer to the record, but the most important thing is going as far as possible with my team."
Mbappe's career has been defined by the World Cup since he burst onto the scene in 2018, scoring four goals as France won the trophy in Russia. In Qatar four years ago, he scored eight goals, including a hat-trick in the final which France lost on penalties to Argentina. "I am aware of what it means to be at a World Cup here and representing over 67 million French people," he said. "I just want to go down in history for my country. I think a lot of players, given the stakes of a World Cup, don't fully enjoy it, but I just try to enjoy it, I know how lucky I am."
Future in MLS?
Mbappe, who is enjoying being a star in the US, hinted at a possible move to Major League Soccer later in his career. "Of course, the culture is different to ours in Europe, and I have always liked that, the fact that people have ambitions with no limits, and are not afraid to say it. Will I come here at the end of my career? I don't know. David Beckham often asks me. We will see, but it is a country I like and I am happy to be here." However, he joked that he would not follow Cristiano Ronaldo in playing at World Cups into his forties: "I won't be doing this at 40, you will have got rid of me by then."
