3 goals and 10,200 euros are good, but 0 words: Why was Kylian Mbappe silent? | FIFA World Cup 2022

What do Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kevin De Bruyne and Kylian Mbappe have in common at the World Cup?

Unfortunately, no place in the 1/8 finals. The four have already been selected as Qatar’s Man of the Match. This includes – in addition to the stunning red cup – a lot of ceremonies. Like a mandatory interview for FIFA cameras.

Oddly enough, only one person was thanked twice for that chat: Kylian Mbappe. He even seemed to intentionally hide the name of the beer brand.

provocative mr.

The star paid a fine of 10,200 euros with a smile.

In France’s army of journalists, they can hardly laugh with the marathon of silence of the media’s biggest magnet.

Mbappe also fits in all the press conferences and interviews in the mixed zone in recent weeks. Only through social media did the attacker speak sporadically.

but why?

According to the French newspaper L’Equipe, the Frenchman wants to avoid all sensitive questions about the organization of the World Cup in Qatar. After all, it is at PSG that the oil state pays its insane salary of 131 million euros every year.

Mbappe knows that one word open to interpretation can unleash the media frenzy on the sheikhs. Then there are no risks.

In addition, the past also plays a role.

During the previous European Championships, the press eagerly covered a riot between Mbappe and Olivier Giroud. The latter announced in the run-up to the tournament that his teammates had not played much with him. “I can hardly get the balls,” he grumbled.

Without naming names, it was clear that it was about Mbappe, who he would later face firmly in the press moment.

Mutual discontent would translate into a disappointing European Championship. Mbappe himself missed the decisive penalty against Switzerland, a match in which he missed an extraordinary number of chances.

Duracell the rabbit had learned lessons from his dead battery at the time.

He no longer wastes energy on peripheral matters. Mbappe’s focus is entirely on a second world title.

How fast can a Frenchman rise through the ranks of the greatest? Few can say that they have led their country as a major pawn to winning the final football trophy on several occasions. Nobody in recent history, really.

Could this be Mbappe’s hidden mission?

Goals against Denmark (2x) and Australia already prove to be sharp sights.

More than ever, Mbappe was not only decisive in his goals, but also in the French dressing room.

Team members testify that the phenomenon – still only 23 years old – indirectly takes the group by the hand. Without demanding the big word from captain Hugo Lloris, because Mbappe also prefers to speak with his feet.

“Kylian wasn’t the same player and personality in 2018 as he is now,” said Antoine Griezmann. “We see him a lot in the group, in training. He brings joy to life. Kylian is important to us.”

Even without serving as a lightning rod in journalism.