Special envoy to Nice
Do not trivialize the exceptional, even if the level of the evening’s opponents was unworthy of an international match. Kylian Mbappé can’t do anything about it and he had the merit of remaining serious and diligent on Saturday evening against Gibraltar (14-0). With a hat-trick to his credit, which now makes him the only third top scorer in the history of the Blues, the captain of the vice-world champions showed his talent on his third goal. At 44 meters, he tried his luck and lobbed the opposing goalkeeper. Fabulous.
“I had been watching the goalkeeper for at least 20 or 25 minutes, who was very advanced,” he admits with a smile at the TF1 microphone. I didn’t understand why and then it was instinct (to lob). When Youssouf (Fofana) passes me, I know straight away that I’m going to do that. Of course, today (Saturday) it works for me and other times it won’t work. » And Mbappé concluded with a big smile: “it’s talent”. With this hat-trick, the Blues and PSG striker brings his total to 300 goals since the start of his career. At only 24 years old. Even Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, at the same age, did not have such statistics.
“Beyond what he has done and what he is capable of doing, he is totally involved on the pitch, in his role as captain too,” replies Deschamps in heaven. This makes him responsible towards the group and he does it perfectly, well supported by Antoine Griezmann, when it is necessary to have internal discussions. It’s always in the right direction. »
With 46 goals in 74 selections, Kylian Mbappé now has in his sights a certain Thierry Henry (51 goals), 2nd top scorer in the history of the selection. Largely within its reach between now and the start of the Euro with five more matches on the program (Greece on Tuesday, two matches in March and two in June).