Messi beware: France coach backs Mbappe to claim World Cup scoring crown
France manager Didier Deschamps believes Kylian Mbappe is destined to become the World Cup’s all-time top scorer after the striker’s last-gasp strike helped Les Bleus secure a 3-0 win over Iraq on Monday.
Mbappe struck twice in France’s weather-affected Group I encounter to take his tally to 16 goals at the World Cup and equal former Germany striker Miroslav Klose. The 27-year-old is now in tow Lionel Messi’s record 18 goals by just twowith the Argentina captain also continuing to add to his tally in the ongoing tournament.
After the win, Deschamps backed Mbappe to finally surpass Messi’s mark.
“Records are meant to be broken,” said Deschamps. “And now he has a symbolic figure. He has 100 games. He always scored goals. He will score more goals.”
“Take Messi, take Cristiano Ronaldo. I’m not sure Kylian will play until their age, but as long as he’s on the pitch and as long as he feels good, he’ll score a lot of goals.
“Every time he breaks his own record, he has the capacity to up his ante.
Mbappe’s double was unusual even by World Cup standardswith the two goals coming nearly three hours apart after inclement weather forced a lengthy stoppage in play.
Deschamps revealed that France spent the delay trying to stay relaxed as they waited for updates on when the match could resume.
“We were playing cards,” he joked. “No, well, we waited. We had slots moving forward again. And the most important thing with my colleague Graham Arnold is to have 20 minutes to warm up again and not take any chances.”
“There was a lot of rain that made the pitch very difficult. It was the first time that happened to me. The same for my players.”
The French coach admitted the circumstances were frustrating, but acknowledged that safety concerns were leaving the organizers to choose.
“I actually had a good time with the players. We joke around. You know, it’s a safety issue and that’s just the way it is. You can’t fight rain and lightning when there’s a risk.”
“It’s early morning in Europe. These are very strange circumstances and I hope they won’t happen again.”
Deschamps also praised Ousmane Dembele after the Ballon d’Or winner opened his account for the tournament with France’s next goal against Iraq.
“Be calm with Ousmane,” said Deschamps. “There is no problem with Ousmane. He also needs to re-adapt to a system where he doesn’t play all year.”
“As long as Ousmane is physically well, and that’s the case, then it’s just fine-tuning. I trust Ousmane. He knows it. And he’s not someone who doubts and doing what he did today, it’s important because he’s a decisive player.”
With France already in the knockout stages and Mbappe fast approaching Messi’s World Cup record, Deschamps’ prediction may soon face its biggest test.
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
23 Jun 2026 08:19 IST