When the 2018 World Cup rolled around, Kylian Mbappe played a crucial function in his country’s victory. This year’s cup might be a welcomed diversion for the brilliance out of PSG and also a great chance to keep in his favorite position.
Karim Benzema has the opportunity to remind people of the talent that led to his winning the Ballon d’Or at 35 years old.
Their paths to Qatar have diverged drastically.
Simultaneously effective
Mbappe was the youngest player to score in the deciding match in the history of soccer in the tournament’s final four years. Benzema was nowhere near Moscow in 2018 because the Real Madrid forward was exiled from the national team.
With so many goals scored collectively during the 2016 European Championship. Benzema was still just home with his fellow French citizens, and things didn’t initially click between them.
Since then, they’ve been exceedingly effective together, scoring six goals. Simultaneously in the triumphant World Cup qualifying victory. That Didier Deschamps described as “a beautiful night of soccer.”
Benzema ranks second all-time on Madrid s scoring lists throughout his career behind Cristiano Ronaldo, with 329 goals.
Mbappe’s goal tally is expected to break Edinson Cavani’s PSG record of 200 this season; he already boasts 28 goals for France. Benzema has 37, with 10 in his past 16 appearances abroad.
The Frustration of Playing Center Forward
His capabilities will lead him to Qatar, whether Mbappe has the freedom he wants away from the frustration of being the center forward for PSG. He would much rather play a target man like Olivier Giroud, capitalizing on his pace and skill in attacking from deep or wide.
Have much additional freedom (with France). The coach (Deschamps) is aware of a No 9 similar to Olivier (Giroud). Who takes care of the defenders so they may run about?
Move into space and ask for the ball, Mbappe said in September after Giroud assisted him for a scored goal in a Nations League win over Austria. With Paris, it’s different; that doesn’t occur; I am assigned the role of a pivot (central position).
During ashootout with Reims last week, Mbappe published a picture of himself on Instagram. Resting his chin on his clench, with the hashtag pivoting, a play on the word pivot.
Which is the French term for a central striker who functions as a company player. He also scores as a link player by having a hindmost back to goals, like Giroud and Mbappe do t want to do.
Giroud must attain two goals to equal Henry’s record of 51, but Deschamps might prefer Griezmann now that he’s in form with Atletico Madrid.
Stressful Times
Mbappe has other things on his mind as well, recently denying he’s unhappy at PSG and that he is trying to get a move to Real Madrid, which twice failed to sign him.
He additionally had to face accusations from French investigative site Mediapart accusing PSG of hiring another company to compile false Twitter accounts meant to harass Mediapart considered hostile by the media corporation.
Mediapart alleged that former PSG midfielder Adrien Rabiot was targeted alongside Kylian Mbappé. After reports that Mbappe hoped to move to Madrid in 2019.
Mbappe scored many times at last year’s European Championship, so his return from Europe may be a relief for Bordeaux fans. But in addition to his standing as an acclaimed soccer player, the struggle against Switzerland left him needing to make amends.
While Benzema scored four goals, and Griezmann netted once. Mbappe failed to score during that game and did not convert the penalty kick for France when it was eliminated in the quarterfinals.
Alarm Bells
France should take the loss against Switzerland as a critical message. Not since Brazil lost the 1998 final to France has the defending globe champions come close to achieving the title.
Four other champions did not make it to the knockout stage, and three came out on top later in their group, including France in 2002.
Group D has the most outstanding group, along with other semifinalists in France, Denmark, Australia, and Tunisia.
Injury Woes
After Deschamps’ reputation, he has more clout than the leaders of several other international football competitions. Especially Lloris and Maignan, who also have an excellent goaltending duo.
His distinction is also vulnerable to the unfortunate fact that he sustains a substantial number of severe injuries to a host of his key players in defense and midfield.
Raphael Varane, Real Madrid’s central defender, is doubtful. After injuring himself while competing, formerly in the Premier League. Fellow World Cup winner Paul Pogba has not played in more than eight months.
He has returned to training after his knee injury and has only recently been cleared to return to London with Juventus. He doesn’t have much time to train.
Encircling information received from investigations of Pogba bro’s wrongdoing. Pogba is now faced with an unsavory scandal that could tarnish his reputation even more.
Another controversial figure from France s extraordinary World Cup triumph is N-Golo Kante. But Chelsea’s midfielder is out for a considerable time as he recuperates from an injury he received this summer.
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