PARIS, Oct 25: Kylian Mbappé helped France win the World Cup four years ago, becoming a superstar in the process. This time, the tournament could serve as a welcome escape from the pressures of Paris Saint-Germain, and also a chance to play in his favorite position.
For Karim Benzema, it’s an opportunity to showcase the talent that led him to winning the prestigious Ballon d’Or at nearly 35 years old.
Their paths to Qatar have greatly diverged.
When the 19-year-old Mbappé scored in the World Cup final four years ago, he was the youngest player since Pelé in 1958 to score in the deciding match. Benzema was nowhere close to Moscow at the time because the Real Madrid forward was exiled from the national team.
Although they played together at last year’s European Championship, Benzema was only just coming back with Les Bleus and things didn’t quite click between them.
They’ve since shown how effective they are in tandem – sharing six goals in one World Cup qualifying win that France coach Didier Deschamps called “a beautiful night of football.” Benzema is second all-time on Madrid’s scoring list behind Cristiano Ronaldo with 329 goals.
Mbappé, expected to break Edinson Cavani’s PSG record of 200 this season, already has 28 goals for France. Benzema has 37, with 10 in his past 16 internationals.
They will form the most lethal attack in Qatar. Especially if Mbappé has the freedom he craves away from the frustration of playing center forward for PSG.
He’d much rather peel off a target man like Olivier Giroud, thereby using his pace and skill to attack from deep or wide.
“I have much more freedom (with France). The coach (Deschamps) knows there is a No. 9 like Olivier (Giroud) who takes care of the defenders so I can run around, move into space, ask for the ball,” Mbappé said in September, after Giroud set him up for a goal in a Nations League win over Austria.
“With Paris it’s different, that doesn’t happen, I’m asked to play as a pivot (central striker).”
Giroud needs two goals to equal Thierry Henry’s national record of 51. But Deschamps might prefer Antoine Griezmann, now that he’s back in form with Atletico Madrid.
Deschamps has significant injury problems to major players in defence and midfield. Central defender Raphael Varane is doubtful after leaving the field in tears with an apparent knee injury when playing for Manchester United in the Premier League.
Fellow World Cup winner Paul Pogba has not played since April, and only has only just returned to training with Juventus following knee surgery. It gives him little time to be ready. (AP)
