Mbappe Scores 50th Goal as France Wins Nations League Third Place

Kylian Mbappe scored his 50th international goal during France's 2-0 victory over Germany in the 2024-25 Nations League third-place match, a milestone placing him just behind Thierry Henry and Olivier Giroud in France's all-time scoring list. Despite his contributions, including an assist for Michael Olise, Mbappe has faced criticism from former French players like Jerome Rothen, who argue that Mbappe has declined in creativity and effectiveness during build-up play, especially when the team is under pressure. Rothen also noted technical mistakes and suggested Mbappe's shift from winger to central forward reflects a drop in his creative influence. Mbappe, however, welcomes the scrutiny, stating that criticism highlights the expectations on him and respects his status, emphasizing that scoring droughts are natural phases. With the Nations League over, France now focuses on World Cup qualification, which Mbappe regards as their most important competition, urging immediate commitment starting with their qualifier against Ukraine. The team reflects on lessons learned from their Nations League semi-final loss to Spain and seeks to build momentum for upcoming challenges.