Kylian Mbappe's historic 100th match, desire to register his name in history
Kylian Mbappe is set to play against Iraq for his 100th cap, and in this match he will try to create history.
Kylian Mbappe has said he wants to "write his name down in history for his country" as he prepares for his 100th France cap in the upcoming World Cup match against Iraq. In the previous match, he became France's all-time goalscorer by scoring two goals in a 3–1 win against Senegal, taking him ahead of Olivier Giroud with 58 goals. The France captain is now set to become the 10th player to earn 100 caps for the country, closing in on coach Didier Deschamps (103) on the all-time appearances list. Although he has already broken Les Blues' record in the last match, he is now chasing another target as he has 14 goals in the World Cup. The 27-year-old is only the third France player to score goals in three different World Cup editions (2018, 2022 and 2026), while he trails only three players in the scoring charts: Lionel Messi and Miroslav Klose (both 16) and Ronaldo (15). Argentina are due to face Austria on Tuesday, meaning Messi could break the scoring record before the France match starts, but Mbappe is eyeing the opportunity. "The chance to play for your country is always a pleasure," Mbappe told reporters. "This is the biggest one - one hundred is a historic number, and to have a chance to reach that figure here at the World Cup would be a special match for me. The importance and stakes of this match are really the most important, and we need to win to move on. I know it would be great to be at the World Cup and have 67 million players.
What it means to represent more French people. I only want to write my name in history for my country. I think a lot of players, because of the stakes of the World Cup, don't enjoy it to the fullest, but I just try to enjoy it. I know how lucky I am. I know I have the quality, but you still have to show it on the biggest stage, and I don't think scoring a double in the first match is enough to fully showcase my talent. France currently sit second behind Norway in Group I, but they will be looking to take a big step towards the Round of 32 with another win against Iraq in Philadelphia. They are looking to win their opening two matches at the World Cup, their fourth consecutive – having done so only once in their 13 previous appearances in the competition (1998).