"If you want to evaluate Kylian based on running 11 km every match, forget it. He won't do that," Deschamps told AFP on 5/2. "He possesses many other important and decisive qualities."

Forward Kylian Mbappe speaks with coach Didier Deschamps during a France national team training session in Paderborn, Germany on 19/6/2024. *Photo: AP*.

Regarding his playing style, the France coach admitted Mbappe can sometimes be a bit selfish. However, he believes it is normal for a forward to have some self-confidence.

"Regardless of whether you love or hate him, young people today greatly admire him," Deschamps added. "You talk about a selfish and individualistic guy, but I assure you that with the France national team, he is always a true captain."

Recently, Mbappe has often been criticized for his perceived lack of defensive support. Others suggest that the "number 10" displays selfishness, focusing solely on individual achievements rather than the collective game.

According to statistics from the start of the 2025-2026 season, Mbappe covers only 8-9 km per match, less than the common 10-11 km for other forwards. However, despite the running distance statistics, the 27-year-old forward remains Real's top scorer, netting 37 goals and providing 5 assists in 30 matches, while Vinicius has scored 8 goals and assisted 11 times in 33 matches.

Mbappe dribbles past Pedri during Real's 3-4 loss to Barca in La Liga's 35th round on 11/5/2025. *Photo: AFP*.

Mbappe gained recognition for his goal-scoring ability as a teenager with Monaco. He currently holds the record for 256 goals for PSG, 56 more than Edinson Cavani. He has also scored 55 goals for the France national team, just two goals shy of leading scorer Olivier Giroud.

In Ligue 1 and La Liga, Mbappe has been the top scorer for the past 7 seasons. He also leads the 2025-2026 La Liga top scorer race with 22 goals, 7 goals ahead of second-placed player Vedat Muriqui of Mallorca.

Mbappe's most notable individual achievement is being the top scorer at the 2022 World Cup. In that tournament, he scored 8 goals, including a hat-trick in the final.

Thanh Quy (according to AFP)