France captain Kylian Mbappé has emphasized his ambition to etch his name further into football history after leading his team to a 3-1 victory over Senegal in their 2026 FIFA World Cup group-stage opener on Tuesday.

The reigning world champions delivered a strong performance to begin their tournament campaign, with Mbappé playing a decisive role once again. The Real Madrid forward scored twice, while Barcelona winger Bradley Barcola added another goal to secure all three points for Les Bleus. Senegal managed to pull one back through Ibrahim Mbaye, but it was not enough to prevent defeat.

Following the match, Mbappé spoke to the media about France’s mentality going forward in the competition, stressing the importance of staying grounded despite a positive start.

According to the French captain, World Cup matches are never straightforward, and early victories should not create a sense of comfort within the squad.

“You can never be comfortable in the World Cup. As we’ve seen in other matches, winning the first game is always very difficult,” Mbappé said.

The 25-year-old forward, who continues to be one of the standout players in world football, also reflected on his personal drive and motivation, insisting that his ultimate goal is to help France retain the world title.

“I play to make history for my country,” he added. “But the most important objective is to help France win the World Cup.”

Mbappé further urged his teammates to maintain focus and discipline as the tournament progresses, noting that the group stage is only the beginning of a long and demanding journey.

“This is just the first match of the group stage. We must always maintain composure regarding what we need to do,” he explained.

The victory places France in a strong position in their group, but tougher challenges lie ahead as they prepare for their next fixture against Iraq on Monday. Mbappé is expected to once again lead the attack as France aim to build momentum and secure early qualification for the knockout stages.

With his latest brace, Mbappé continues to underline his status as one of the tournament’s leading stars and a key figure in France’s bid to defend their world title.