As the 2024 European Championship approaches, we’re focusing on some of the key players who could significantly influence their teams’ chances of success. In this article, we’ll be looking at French superstar Kylian Mbappe, who is coming into this tournament on the back of his most prolific season and is set to make his move to Real Madrid once the competition concludes.
Player Profile
Kylian Mbappe
- Overall French stats: 78 caps / 47 goals
- 2023/24 Club stats: 48 games / 44 goals
- 2023/24 Club honours: Trophée des Champions, Coupe de France, Ligue 1
Winning Mentality
Since coming through the ranks at AS Monaco in 2015/16, Mbappe has been a consistent winner, from helping Monaco win their first Ligue 1 title in 16 years to winning six out of seven Ligue 1 titles since joining PSG. This addiction to winning is evident in his newly announced move from PSG to Real Madrid ahead of next season, joining the most successful team in Europe in search of his first UEFA Champions League trophy.
His winning mentality does not stop at club level. France have enjoyed a phenomenal period since he stepped into the senior team in 2017. Mbappe has won a UEFA Nations League and FIFA World Cup with his country and fell just short of a second World Cup when his nation was defeated on penalties by Argentina in 2022. This experience of winning will be invaluable for Mbappe and his teammates as they look to win the country’s first European title since 2000.
Goals in Big Games
Mbappe has not only played in two World Cup finals at just 25-years-old, but he also holds several records for goals scored in the final. He has scored the most goals of any player in World Cup finals with four in two games. He is one of just two players to score a hat trick in a final, alongside Geoff Hurst, and is the only player to score multiple goals in a losing final. The Frenchman is also one of two players to have scored in consecutive finals, alongside Vavá, and is one of two players to have scored in a final as a teenager, alongside Pelé.
He has also shown his prowess in the biggest games at club level, most notably scoring a hat trick at Camp Nou in the Champions League to help secure his side a 4-1 first-leg lead.
Blistering Speed
One of Mbappe’s best and most important attributes is his terrifying speed, which alone can get him past some of the very best defenders in the world. Combine this with his excellent technique, superb dribbling, and phenomenal end product, and you have a player who strikes fear into any defender.
Not only does it make him exceptionally hard to defend against, but it can often lead to the opposing team changing their style of play to restrict Mbappe from getting on the ball and attacking their goal. This almost always goes in France’s favour, as other players become more open with the opposition focusing on Mbappe. The shift in tactics from the opponents can often mean they are not as comfortable as they would be in their normal system.
All of this plays into France’s hands and is one of the many reasons why they have been so successful in recent years.
France’s Odds for EURO 2024
- France to win the Euros: 4.80
- Semi-final elimination: 4.00
- Quarter-final elimination: 4.00
- Round of 16 elimination: 5.50
- Group Stage elimination: 10.00
France to beat Austria: 1.50 (at the time of writing)
