Thierry Henry, a legendary French footballer, voiced his strong support for Kylian Mbappé in an interview. Henry holds the view that the external evaluation of Mbappé is overly strict.
What do you think of the recent doubts about Mbappé's performance from the outside world?
Henry: Sometimes people judge him only by what he hasn't done, forgetting about his already achieved accomplishments. I don't even think about the Ballon d'Or; it's just a result of your performance. Look at this young man: he has only participated in two FIFA World Cups and reached the final twice. He scored in both finals, winning once and losing once—few people can achieve this.
But unfortunately for Mbappé, the level he is at means he is always providing "caviar" to people. If there is just one day in a year when he doesn't serve caviar, he gets torn apart. It's crazy, but that's the reality. It's also a recognition of him as an outstanding player; otherwise, people wouldn't even discuss you.
Are the external expectations for him too high?
Henry: Since he was 16 years old, people have had extremely high expectations for him, and he has almost always met them. Considering his conduct, statistics, trophies, and various indicators, his performance is by no means poor. I don't think we should condone everything he does, but can we be fairer sometimes? If he can reach the World Cup final for the third consecutive time, it will not only be a record for the French team but also a historic achievement in the FIFA World Cup.
What is your view on the future World Cup prospects of the French national team?
Henry: That's Didier Deschamps' responsibility! The French national team is very fortunate to have numerous options in every position, not just the forward line. Take Arnaud Kalimuendo, for example—six months ago, no one thought he could play in the World Cup, but now he has emerged prominently. I don't like to talk about specific squad details, but I know we have an excellent team, although this will inevitably result in some outstanding players being left at home. I only hope that my former teammates and my motherland can reach the final again and win the championship.
