Vancouver, June 13: French midfielder Manu Kone dismissed concerns regarding pressure on captain Kylian Mbappe ahead of France's World Cup opener against Senegal. Kone emphasized the forward's history of delivering in high-stakes tournaments.
Mbappe, 27, made history at the 2022 Qatar tournament by becoming the first player since 1966 to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final. Although Argentina won on penalties, Mbappe’s individual performance remains elite. Last season, he netted 42 goals and provided seven assists for Real Madrid across all competitions.
"He's a truly great player who has always risen to the occasion," Kone stated. "We know he's always stepped up at the World Cup. He wants to win it. He's our captain, and he'll do great things. No doubt about it."
France boasts formidable attacking depth alongside Mbappe. The squad includes Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, and Desire Doue. Midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery highlighted the tactical flexibility this talent provides.
"Dembele has the freedom to do pretty much whatever he wants," Zaire-Emery noted. "When you have players like Dembele, like Olise, like Kylian, Marcus Thuram... they just have exceptional qualities."
Zaire-Emery, who contributed three goals and five assists for Paris Saint-Germain last season, addressed the intense competition within the national team. He admitted that limited playing time can challenge confidence but affirmed his commitment to the World Cup goal.
"When there's a World Cup at the end of the season, it's a goal for every French player," he said. "If I don't believe in it, no one else will believe in it for me."
France, defending champions from 2018 and winners in 1998, enter Group I alongside Senegal, Iraq, and Norway.