Kylian Mbappe is scoring goals for fun at the 2026 World Cup, and after thrashing sides like Sweden and Morocco this summer, the Real Madrid superstar is ready to send his biggest message yet in the semifinals against reigning European Champions Spain by having a field day against France's strongest opponents of the tournament - and the same team that surprised them at the Euros.
The Real Madrid striker is breaking records every time he steps foot on the pitch, and he now has 20 career World Cup goals to his name in just his third tournament. Mbappe looks so at home on the big stage of the World Cup and as the clear face of the French national team, but there are still those who are hesitant to call him the best in the world.
One of those players is his opponent, Nico Williams, who plays for the Spanish national team and "Old Clasico" rivals Athletic Club - and had every intention of joining El Clasico foes FC Barcelona that summer Spain won the Euros.
Kylian Mbappe might take it personally
According to Williams, Mbappe may be "one of" the best players in the world, but THE best player in the world is his close friend and Barcelona and Spain right winger Lamine Yamal.
The Spanish backup left winger said, via Madrid Xtra, “Kylian Mbappe is a monster, he’s one of the best in the world. But we also have Lamine Yamal, the best in the world.”
Kylian Mbappe is one of those legendary players and figures like Michael Jordan, Kobe Byrant, or his footballing idol Cristiano Ronaldo with that mean streak about him. Even though Nico Williams called him a "monster" and did acknowledge his quality, by putting his direct opponent Lamine Yamal on a pedestal above him, that will give Mbappe that edge of motivation to drive to prove Spain wrong - and embarrass Williams and Yamal in the process.
There is no way the French national team superstar takes what Williams is saying as lightly as many others, including fans, would. Mbappe is no fan. He is no regular player. He can be an obsessed sicko in the best way possible, and that means he will want the French national team to put Yamal and Spain on notice that the World Cup records are not just show pieces; Mbappe is here to stake his claim as THE best footballer on the planet.
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