Captain Kylian Mbappé has long faced criticism over his individualistic personality, but the French striker has truly embraced the role of team leader at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, emerging as a player obsessed with the mission of leading France to a third world title.

In this edition of the World Cup, Mbappé has displayed selflessness, with Les Bleus rallying around him as a locomotive for the group, presenting a new version of himself that refutes on the pitch the long-standing accusations of selfishness in his play.

Mbappé is well aware of the importance of the World Cup; it was from this tournament that he entered the list of legends of the competition since his first participation in the 2018 Russia World Cup, when he was only 19 years old. This motivation has driven Mbappé to redouble his efforts to shine again in the tournament and erase the memory of a collectively disappointing season with Real Madrid.

In addition to his seven goals in the tournament before the anticipated quarter-final against Morocco, and the records he seeks to break or has already broken—having become France's all-time top scorer with 63 goals in 103 matches—Mbappé realized that he must earn the trust of the entire group if he wants to achieve the dream of a third star with France, and that this goal requires a change in his perception of the leadership role in the team.

After his brace in the Round of 32 against Sweden (3-0), Mbappé said, "I am confident in my way of playing, in where I come from, and in what I must do."

- On the offensive front -

On the pitch, a transformation in Mbappé's playing style has become evident, becoming more collective. This was exemplified by his two decisive assists for Dembélé against Norway (4-1) in the group stage, and by dropping back to support the defense in tense moments of matches—something for a player who has always been criticized for neglecting defensive duties.

Even off the pitch, there are clear signs of the player's maturity. At the age of 27, Mbappé has become the first to defend his teammates.

The provocations and violence of the Paraguayan players in the Round of 16 (1-0) did not shake Mbappé's confidence. He appeared resilient despite the opponent resorting to all sorts of illicit means to provoke his anger.

In this match, the number 10 player did not lose his cool; rather, he responded to the insults and tackles of the Paraguayans with a smile and mockery.

At the final whistle, Mbappé mocked them and refused to shake hands with their goalkeeper Orlando Gill, before going to salute the French crowd in the stadium alongside his teammates like any true leader.

After the match, Mbappé escalated his tone to condemn the racist remarks made against him by Paraguayan parliamentarian Celeste Amarilla, describing them as "vile" and "an insult to her position."

- A radical transformation -

When Didier Deschamps, coach of Les Bleus, gave Mbappé the captain's armband in 2023, after Hugo Lloris' retirement, questions multiplied about the correctness of the decision, as Antoine Griezmann seemed at the time more deserving of it.

During his first official competition with the captain's armband at Euro 2024, Mbappé did not show a personality capable of leading the team's players, but the situation changed radically in the 2026 World Cup, to the extent that the player has been compared on social media to General Mobutu, the "autocratic ruler" who governed Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo) between 1965 and 1997.

On Saturday, shirts depicting Mbappé in a military uniform appeared in the stands in Philadelphia.

After the victory over Paraguay, Deschamps defended Mbappé, saying: "Mbappé hasn't changed. You want to make him a dictator, but he is far from that personality. He even shares players' complaints with me that don't necessarily concern him personally. To be a calm leader, you must not suffer from personal problems, and that is exactly what Mbappé embodies."

Now, every move by Mbappé is interpreted in light of this image, such as his apparent annoyance when he saw that the pitch-cleaning operation, after the storm that halted the match against Iraq (3-0) on June 22 in Philadelphia, was limited to the French half. He asked the technicians to soak up water in the other half of the pitch where the French attackers operate.

Mbappé has woven an exceptional relationship with Deschamps, but it has taken on another dimension in the latest World Cup for the coach of Les Bleus.

Mbappé went straight to hug Deschamps after opening the scoring against Sweden, expressing sympathy for him after losing his mother. The former midfielder reciprocated by bowing to greet Mbappé as he was substituted, a rare scene in 'DD's' 14-year tenure as France coach, and a tribute to a 'superstar' who holds a unique place in the French national team.