World Cup 2026: Kylian Mbappe shrugs off critics after record-breaking brace sinks Senegal

France captain Kylian Mbappé brushed off recent media scrutiny following his historic performance against Senegal, stating he is motivated by national pride rather than a desire for revenge against his critics.

Mbappé led Les Bleus to a decisive 3-1 victory over Senegal in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The forward scored twice in the second half, bringing his international goal tally to 58. This milestone officially moves him past Olivier Giroud to become France’s standalone all-time leading goalscorer.

The stellar international performance followed a heavily scrutinized club season with Real Madrid. Despite scoring 43 goals across all competitions, Mbappé faced regular backlash from fans and pundits after Madrid failed to secure a major trophy for the second consecutive year.

Dismissing the critics

When questioned by reporters after the match about whether his record-breaking display was meant to silence his detractors, the French captain dismissed the narrative entirely. He emphasized that attempting to please every critic is an impossible task.

“There is no revenge,” Mbappé told French broadcaster M6. “If I started playing for all the people who criticise me and to shut them up, I would have to play until I’m 80 years old.”

The 27-year-old superstar reiterated that his focus remains entirely on collective success and his immediate support system rather than external noise.

“After my brace, I thought about my relatives, my family, my close friends who were here today,” Mbappé said. “Every time I score, it’s for them. I play to mark the history of my country and make sure that my team is in the final and win the World Cup. I’m only focused on doing my best for my country. That’s it. Full focus on that.”

Looking ahead to Iraq

With the opening victory, France secures three vital points to kick off their tournament run in Group I. The team is now preparing to travel to Philadelphia, where they will face Iraq in their second group-stage match on Monday.

France head coach Didier Deschamps praised his captain’s leadership and resilience after the final whistle, noting that Mbappé’s ability to perform under pressure remains the driving force behind the national team’s ambitions to reclaim the world title.