Mbappe wants 'to go down in history' for France
Kylian Mbappe says he "just wants to go down in history for my country" as he prepares to earn his 100th France cap against Iraq in its next World Cup match.
Mbappe became France's all-time leading scorer last time out in its 3-1 win over Senegal, with his brace taking him past Olivier Giroud and onto 58 goals.
The France captain is set to become the 10th player to reach a century of caps for the country, and he is closing in on head coach Didier Deschamps (103) in the all-time appearance list.
But, having already checked off Les Bleus' record last time out, Mbappe is chasing another as he now has 14 goals at the World Cup.
The 27b year-old is only the third France player to score in three different World Cup editions (2018, 2022 and 2026), while he only trails three players in the scoring charts: Lionel Messi and Miroslav Klose (both 16) and Ronaldo.
Argentina faces Austria earlier on Wednesday, which means Messi could break the scoring record before France kicks off, but Mbappe is keen to stay on his tail and pounce if the opportunity arises.
"It is always a pleasure to have the chance to play for your country," Mbappe said. "There is nothing bigger – one hundred is a historic figure, and to have the chance to reach that tally here at a World Cup means it will be a special match for me.
"The importance and the stakes of the match are what really matter, and we need a win to go through.
"I am aware of what it means to be at a World Cup here and representing over 67 million French people.
"I just want to go down in history for my country. I think a lot of players, given the stakes of a World Cup, don't fully enjoy it, but I just try to enjoy it. I know how lucky I am.
"I know I have the quality, but you still need to go out and show it on the biggest stage at a World Cup, and I don't think a double in the first game is enough to show the full extent of my talent."
France sits second in Group I, behind Norway, but can take a big step towards the round of 32 with another victory against Iraq in Philadelphia.
Les Bleus are seeking to win both of their opening two games at a World Cup for the fourth successive edition – having done so in just one of their previous 13 appearances in the competition (1998).
