Kylian Mbappe has received strong support from former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The French football legend believes Mbappe is ready to deliver another outstanding performance on the biggest stage despite facing criticism during the recently completed club season with Real Madrid.
Impressive Club Campaign Amid Criticism
The 27-year-old striker enjoyed an impressive campaign for the Spanish giants. He scored 42 goals in 56 matches across all competitions. However, Mbappe came under scrutiny at different points of the season. Some critics questioned his commitment after he was seen on holiday in Italy while recovering from an injury. Others pointed to Real Madrid’s disappointing campaign, which ended without a major trophy, as Barcelona lifted the La Liga title.
Wenger's Defense of Mbappe
Despite the criticism, Arsene Wenger believes Kylian Mbappe has been judged too harshly. The former Arsenal manager argued that Real Madrid’s struggles were the result of broader team issues rather than the performance of one player. Wenger suggested that many people have overlooked Mbappe’s quality because of Madrid’s disappointing season. He said the French star remains one of the most talented players in world football and enters the World Cup physically fresh and ready to perform. Wenger also expressed confidence that Mbappe could be one of the standout players of the tournament in North America.
The veteran coach further explained that Real Madrid no longer possess the same depth of world-class talent they once had. According to Wenger, football often looks for a single player to blame when results do not go as expected, and Mbappe has become an easy target for criticism.
Individual Brilliance and World Cup Pedigree
Mbappe’s individual numbers tell a different story. He won the Pichichi Trophy for the second consecutive season after scoring 25 goals in La Liga during the 2025-26 campaign. His performances remained one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing season for Los Blancos.
The French captain also heads into the World Cup with an outstanding record on football’s biggest stage. At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, he scored eight goals and won the Golden Boot. He famously netted a hat-trick in the final against Argentina, although France eventually lost on penalties. Mbappe had already won the World Cup in 2018, scoring four goals during France’s successful campaign. He now has 12 World Cup goals in total, placing him among the tournament’s all-time leading scorers. He is also the youngest player to reach 10 World Cup goals and shares the unique achievement of scoring a hat-trick in a World Cup final with England legend Geoff Hurst.
With another World Cup approaching, Mbappe will be hoping to add more history to his remarkable international career.
