Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe may or may not be in play for the upcoming Clasico against Barcelona that could be the Guard of Honor for La Blaugrana if they manage to hold off the Merengues and officially claim the title. Meanwhile, Mbappe's larger focus seems to be the biggest games after the La Liga season ends at the World Cup this summer,as the 2018 champion is out for revenge after having defeat snatched from the jaws of victory by Argentina.
Mbappe is enduring another difficult campaign for Real Madrid. Like last season, Real are set to go without a trophy, but, this time, the narrative around the Frenchman is not a positive one. His goals no longer absolve him of the blame he shares in the team's lack of success, particularly with fans more critical as they watch PSG continue to rise while Real Madrid flounder after literally being Champions of Europe. before Mbappe's arrival to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2024.
And even the legends in his own country like Karim Benzema an Emmanuel Petit are far less complimentary of the Bondy native than they were earlier in his career. Expectations are higher for Mbappe, and he is not meeting them.
Thierry Henry is no longer waxing poetic
It is now to an extent where those French legends are dropping their expectations, too. Fellow French national team and Monaco icon Thierry Henry used to sing Mbappe's praises, but he has become more critical of the No. 9's lack of quality in the position in terms of his understanding - and his lack of effort on the pitch.
In a recent interview, as relayed by the Madrid Zone, the former Arsenal and Barcelona striker was asked about his expectations for Kylian Mbappe at the World Cup in North America. And it doesn't sonud like Henry is expecting too much out of the French forward, “My expectations for Kylian Mbappé at the World Cup? I just hope he comes in fresh, at 100%, and can have a good tournament for our country. That's all.”
Surely, Thierry Henry didn't mean this quote as any harm or criticism towards the Real Madrid star, but it is telling that the 1998 World Cup champion and 2006 World Cup finalist didn't wax poetic or speak more extensively about Mbappe's place in the team or his goals for the forward after a tough season.
The expectations almost sound like a bare minimum - the sort of expectations you would lay out for an Eduardo Camavinga or a Randal Kolo Muani. Not, you know, the player anointed as Henry's heir. At this point, Mbappe is treading water and seen as someone whom you just take what you can get with.
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