Antoine Griezmann, who played a pivotal role in France’s semi-final victory against Morocco in 2022, observed from the stands on this occasion as Les Bleus overcame the Atlas Lions once more to secure a third straight World Cup semi-final appearance.
The 35-year-old, fresh from finalizing a transfer to Orlando City, had not been present at a France fixture since retiring from international duty in 2024 after a short spell as vice-captain.
Following Hugo Lloris’s decision to step aside after the previous World Cup, it appeared the captain’s armband would naturally pass to Griezmann, then Didier Deschamps’s most devoted lieutenant. In perhaps the most divisive decision of his tenure, the manager chose Kylian Mbappé instead.
The choice to appoint the then 24-year-old as skipper sparked a nationwide discussion. Griezmann later confessed that being passed over after almost ten years of commitment had been a difficult set-back.
Three years on, however, after Mbappé captained France to a third successive World Cup semi-final with a goal—his eighth of the competition—in a 2-0 victory over Morocco, any lingering doubts about his appointment have faded. Still just 27, the attacker has fully taken on a comprehensive leadership role alongside his scoring responsibilities.
A prominent narrative of Mbappé’s World Cup has been his veteran status. He is one of only two members of the current squad, alongside Ousmane Dembélé, who participated in the previous two tournaments. The other two World Cup winners in the group, N’Golo Kanté and Lucas Hernandez, were both sidelined for the Qatar edition due to injuries.
Throughout his multiple media engagements during this World Cup, Mbappé has repeatedly stressed the experience he has gained from competing in two complete tournaments already. With the squad’s run in the United States inviting frequent comparisons to past French sides, the forward has attempted to provide some context.
“I have won the World Cup and I have finished second, and this team is neither of those things,” Mbappé remarked while departing Boston Stadium following the Morocco victory. “Right now it is not the strongest side I have played in, but it might possess the greatest potential, the type of team that allows us to look ahead with more optimism. This is a side we can dream with, even if the truly great teams are the ones that lift trophies.”
This guarded stance is rooted in his past experiences with talent-laden French forward lines. Les Bleus began Euro 2020 boasting an attack of Mbappé, Griezmann and Karim Benzema, a trio one leading publication dubbed “the envy of every nation” on its pre-tournament cover, before suffering an early exit against Switzerland.
“We know the quality this team possesses, but potential alone doesn’t secure victories,” Mbappé added. “We have belief when we walk onto the field, but we must still demonstrate our worth before anyone labels us unbeatable or uses any other grand description.”
Mbappé’s reputation in his home country may have suffered following his turbulent departure from Paris Saint-Germain, but backing for the Real Madrid star is unequivocal whenever he wears the national team jersey.
His mentorship is often expressed through the deep respect he demands his teammates hold for the World Cup as the sport’s ultimate stage. “For any player, there is nothing greater than featuring in a World Cup. We understand that completely and we are working to impress that upon the younger members of the squad,” he stated on Thursday evening. With 20 goals in 20 World Cup outings, few are better qualified than Mbappé to reinforce that message.
“This nation carries a World Cup legacy,” the forward continued, speaking with a sense of gravity. “They have to learn about it, and understand the weight of representing France.”
Les Bleus have not wilted under that burden, even as their status as competition frontrunners has only strengthened over recent weeks. Ahead of their semi-final in Dallas, Mbappé will be eager to ensure his less experienced teammates keep their composure in order to realize the potential he has described.
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