Former France star, Kévin Diaz has criticized Kylian Mbappe following the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
He has drawn a comparison between the Real Madrid superstar and NBA star James Harden.
During his appearance on After Foot, Diaz noted that while Mbappe has consistently performed well individually, his teams have not secured trophies.
He likened the French captain to NBA superstar Harden, noting that both excel in personal achievements but fail to contribute to team success. He stated:
“I enjoy making comparisons, and I was reminded of James Harden: one of the greatest players in basketball history, a multiple-time leading scorer and MVP, yet he has never clinched an NBA title.
“His influence on his team was significant, but unfortunately, there were defensive weaknesses. Consequently, his teams have never succeeded in reaching the pinnacle, even when part of ‘super-teams’.”
Reflecting on performances in the World Cup and other tournaments, Diaz commented:
“Kylian Mbappe is the best goalscorer in the world, the one with the best ability to finish. However, both soccer and basketball require the development of a cohesive unit that performs effectively together, both with and without possession.
“He is undoubtedly the most impactful player at the elite level, yet he does not secure victories. Until he achieves that, we can only conclude that he has not been able to lead his teams to success at the highest level since 2018.”
Kylian Mbappe won the World Cup in 2018 and played a pivotal role in leading France to the final in 2022, where they were defeated by Argentina despite his hat trick.