Mbappé‘s Impressive Trophy Cabinet, the Foundation of a GOAT Candidacy
In an exclusive interview with GOAL, Frank Leboeuf reignites a passionate debate in French football: can Kylian Mbappé surpass Zinedine Zidane to be regarded as his country’s GOAT (Greatest of All Time)? Even with a second World Cup victory and the title of France’s all-time top scorer, the Real Madrid superstar might still fail to surpass the Merengues’ icon. However, this does not diminish the exceptional achievements Mbappé has accumulated over his young and already illustrious career.
A teenager at the time, Mbappé won his first World Cup in 2018, already marking his territory on the international stage with his speed and finishing ability. Then, at Qatar 2022, he wrote a page in history by reaching a second consecutive final and scoring a memorable hat-trick – a performance that further solidified his status as a generational talent – even though the disappointment of the penalty shootout against Lionel Messi and Argentina deprived him of the trophy. Now 27 years old, the forward has already scored 235 goals for Paris Saint-Germain, becoming the club’s all-time top scorer.
Internationally, Mbappé is just two goals away from Olivier Giroud (57 goals) to become France’s all-time top scorer. Since his arrival at the Santiago Bernabéu in 2024 and his integration as Real Madrid’s new “Galactico,” Mbappé has maintained an impressive individual level. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Mbappé aims to win more major titles, both at club and international level, seeking to strengthen his candidacy for the title of French GOAT.
Leboeuf’s Verdict: Zidane, a GOAT Unmatched by Mbappé
When asked about the possibility of considering Mbappé as the greatest player in the history of French football, Frank Leboeuf, winner of the 1998 World Cup, did not hesitate to give a clear answer: “Certainly not. There is no possible comparison.” For the former French international, comparing careers and eras is certainly difficult, but Zidane’s specific qualities, beyond his talent on the pitch, make him an unmatched icon.
Leboeuf emphasizes that Zidane, even with his 2006 mistakes, is loved by the public for his demeanor. In contrast, Mbappé has experienced controversies in his private life that have aroused anger among some French people, a point that disadvantages him in the race for GOAT. The former player also lists Michel Platini and Raymond Kopa as icons of French football, emphasizing that only at the end of his career will we be able to judge if he is of their caliber, as he still has many years left to add to his legacy.
While Leboeuf acknowledges that Mbappé is “a great player, without a doubt, and an intelligent man,” he insists that the Real Madrid forward still has room for improvement. He praises his unparalleled finisher talent – the player scores in almost every game this season – but hopes to see more commitment from him, such as dropping back to help his teammates when he loses possession. For Leboeuf, he is the perfect example of modern football, focused on statistics (goals, passes, runs), but still needs to improve to reach Zidane’s level.
