A former French international striker has expressed doubts that Kylian Mbappé will ever reach the legendary status of Zinedine Zidane.
At just 26 years old, Kylian Mbappé stands as the second-highest goal scorer in the history of the French senior national team and was instrumental in France’s 2018 World Cup triumph. Despite these achievements, ex-Les Bleus forward Djibril Cissé remains unconvinced that Mbappé will eclipse the legacy of Zinedine Zidane.
Cissé’s Perspective
Having earned 41 caps for France between 2002 and 2021, Cissé acknowledged Mbappé’s exceptional abilities during a recent discussion. Nevertheless, he emphasized that Zidane remains the most iconic figure in French football history and questioned whether Mbappé could ever attain a comparable level of reverence.
“I doubt that Kylian Mbappé will ever be regarded with the same admiration as Zinedine Zidane by the French public; reaching that stature will be a significant challenge for him,” Cissé remarked, as reported by Goal.
“Mbappé is undoubtedly adored by fans and is a phenomenal talent, but Zidane enjoyed a unique, almost universal admiration across France. It’s unlikely we’ll witness another player achieving the same legendary status Zidane holds,” Cissé added.
“There’s no question Mbappé has the potential to become the most decorated French player ever-his exploits at Real Madrid are remarkable, and the club is poised to secure numerous titles in the coming years. However, whether he can ascend to the mythical stature Zidane commands remains uncertain.”
Comparing Mbappé and Zidane
Both Mbappé and Zidane have the distinction of captaining France to World Cup victories-Mbappé in 2018 and Zidane in 1998. Each featured in two World Cup finals, with one triumph and one defeat apiece.
While Mbappé has yet to claim a European Championship, Zidane lifted the trophy in 2000. When it comes to scoring, Mbappé outshines Zidane with 52 goals compared to Zidane’s 31 for France. Additionally, Mbappé has contributed 37 assists, surpassing Zidane’s 29.