DOHA – There is arguably no extra thrilling participant at this World Cup than Kylian Mbappe, who leads France into their last-16 conflict on Sunday towards a Poland facet, whose personal hopes of pulling off a well-known upset will rely to a big extent on Robert Lewandowski.

It is a sobering thought that Mbappe, not 24 till later this month, might not but be at the height of his powers however he has already scored seven objectives in 10 appearances at the World Cup.

That tally contains one within the 2018 ultimate when he was nonetheless a teen as France beat Croatia in Moscow.

His mission now could be to assist his nation turn into the primary to retain the World Cup since Brazil, with the assistance of a fair youthful Pele in 1962.

Mbappe has already scored 3 times in Qatar, together with a brace in a 2-1 victory towards Denmark that secured qualification for the final 16, and there’s a perception he’s thriving as the undisputed star of Didier Deschamps’ facet.

The scenario is totally different to that of Paris Saint-Germain, the place he shares the limelight with Lionel Messi and Neymar, and in that sense it might be that Karim Benzema’s withdrawal on account of damage on the eve of the event does no hurt to French hopes.

“Kylian has no ego,” insisted Deschamps a couple of days in the past, going towards the notion of Mbappe within the context of PSG.

“He is a decisive player for us and his performances put him in the spotlight. He is not 18 anymore. He has experience now.”

It wasn’t simply Mbappe -– who now has as many worldwide objectives as Zinedine Zidane — that France missed as a second-string staff misplaced 1-0 to Tunisia on Wednesday, a consequence that didn’t cease them topping their group.

He can be again together with the likes of Hugo Lloris, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud as France and Poland meet at a serious event for the primary time because the 1982 World Cup.

BEYOND REPROACH

“Kylian is not the same player or person as in 2018,” stated Griezmann on Friday when requested about Mbappe’s function in a squad hit by accidents to a number of key gamers earlier than the event.

“He is much more a part of the squad now. He speaks a lot and has fun. He knows that the media, fans and even his teammates will be watching everything that he does but he is beyond reproach.”

France are clear favourites for Sunday’s recreation however there may be the reminiscence of what occurred within the final 16 at final yr’s European Championship, when Mbappe missed the essential penalty in a shoot-out defeat to Switzerland.

Poland solely simply scraped by their group forward of Mexico on purpose distinction and Lewandowski’s strike -– his first World Cup purpose –- within the win over Saudi Arabia was due to this fact essential.

“I’m aware it might be my last World Cup and I wanted to be able to say that I’ve played and scored at World Cups,” Lewandowski stated after that recreation.

The 34-year-old additionally obtained 9 objectives in qualifying and there may be no person else fairly on his degree in Czeslaw Michniewicz’s squad.

“We are happy because getting out of the group was our objective,” stated defender Jakub Kiwior after the staff skilled on Friday.

Seeing Mbappe and Lewandowski collectively on the identical pitch is a uncommon deal with.

Two of probably the most prolific forwards within the trendy recreation, they’re nonetheless several types of striker –- one all about explosive tempo coming into the field from huge areas, and the opposite the last word penalty-box finisher now coming in direction of the tip of his profession.

Lewandowski left Bayern Munich for Barcelona within the final shut season, however in keeping with experiences in France he might need ended up at PSG.

Le Parisien reported on Friday that PSG tried to persuade Lewandowski to affix them after tying Mbappe to a brand new contract in May.

PSG’s failure to signal Lewandowski or one other top-class quantity 9 was given as one cause why Mbappe was reportedly so sad at his membership simply a few months in the past.

Those experiences have since died down and his focus is on the World Cup, with Lewandowski now standing in his manner.

DOHA – The 2022 World Cup will get underway on Sunday in Qatar, with France hoping to develop into the first group to efficiently defend the title since Brazil 60 years in the past.

AFP Sport takes a glance at six of the world’s finest players who might be competing in the event:

Lionel Messi (ARG)

Arguably the best participant of all time, Messi has but to emulate previous legends Pele and Diego Maradona by successful soccer’s largest prize. He did lastly win a significant worldwide event with Argentina when he was the driving pressure behind their Copa America triumph final yr. The 35-year-old has mentioned this can “very likely” be his final World Cup and might be determined to go one higher than 2014, when Argentina misplaced the ultimate to Germany in further time. Lionel Scaloni’s facet have excessive hopes of successful a 3rd world title, heading into the event on a 36-match unbeaten run. Messi scored his 91st worldwide aim in a 5-0 pleasant win over the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday.

Cristiano Ronaldo (POR)

Messi’s long-time rival for the standing of world’s finest participant, Ronaldo may even certainly be showing at a World Cup for the ultimate time, aged 37. International soccer’s all-time file scorer lately netted the 700th membership aim of his profession. Ronaldo gained an emotional title at Euro 2016 with Portugal however their finest effort with him on a world stage stays a semi-final exit in 2006. He might be anticipating to rating in a record-breaking fifth straight World Cup, surpassing Pele, Miroslav Klose and Uwe Seeler. Ronaldo could have to put a tough begin to the season with Manchester United behind him, having struggled for kind earlier than accusing the membership of “betraying” him.

Kylian Mbappe (FRA)

His France teammate Karim Benzema is the present Ballon d’Or holder however the world champions’ most essential participant stays Mbappe, greater than 4 years since he starred at the 2018 World Cup. The Paris Saint-Germain ahead turned the first teenager to rating in a World Cup ultimate since Pele together with his strike in France’s 4-2 victory over Croatia. Mbappe, now 23, has denied experiences he’s making an attempt to go away PSG mid-season simply months after signing a profitable new contract. After successful the finest younger participant trophy in Russia, he could have his eyes set on the senior prize this time round.

Neymar (Brazil)

Brazil head into the event as favourites to win a record-extending sixth World Cup. The sturdy type of Neymar this season for PSG might be a giant plus level for coach Tite after a tough spell for the 30-year-old. Neymar heads to Qatar simply two objectives wanting equalling Pele’s all-time Brazil scoring file, albeit having already performed 29 extra matches. The Selecao have been crushed by Belgium in the quarter-finals 4 years in the past, leaving Neymar nonetheless ready to make up for 2014, when he missed the humiliating 7-1 semifinal thrashing by Germany on dwelling soil by way of harm.

Edouard Mendy (Senegal)

The Chelsea goalkeeper misplaced his place as first-choice goalkeeper underneath Graham Potter this season after a string of expensive errors however might be essential to Senegal’s hopes of turning into the first African World Cup semi-finalists. Mendy, a Champions League winner in 2021, saved a penalty as Senegal beat Egypt in a shootout in the Africa Cup of Nations ultimate earlier this yr. The 30-year-old did begin Chelsea’s final two Premier League video games earlier than this event after an harm to Kepa Arrizabalaga. Shorn of star ahead Sadio Mane due to harm, Senegal might be determined for Mendy to rediscover the kind that noticed him named FIFA’s 2021 goalkeeper of the yr at the different finish of the pitch.

Son Heung-min (South Korea)

The Tottenham ahead is undoubtedly Asian soccer’s largest star and he might be carrying South Korea’s hopes in a tight-looking Group H if he can get better from a fractured eye socket. Son shared the Premier League Golden Boot final season with Liverpool’s Salah, regardless of not taking penalties for Spurs. He has netted 35 occasions in 104 internationals, together with the second aim of the Koreans’ beautiful 2018 win over Germany which dumped the reigning champions out in the group stage.

PARIS – Kylian Mbappe insisted Sunday he has “never asked to leave” Paris Saint-Germain regardless of widespread experiences final week that he would search a transfer away from the Qatar-owned membership as quickly as potential.

The 23-year-old France celebrity was talking within the wake of PSG’s 1-0 win over Marseille, by which he arrange Neymar for the one aim as his facet moved three factors clear on the prime of Ligue 1.

“I am very happy. I have never asked to leave in January,” he mentioned whereas insisting that he was not “implicated directly or indirectly” within the rumours about his future.

The story emerged on Tuesday, hours earlier than PSG’s 1-1 Champions League draw with Benfica by which he scored.

“I didn’t understand why the story came out on the day of a game. I was as shocked as everyone,” Mbappe claimed.

“People can think I was involved but I wasn’t at all.”

Several sources guarantee that the noise about Mbappe wanting to depart PSG — regardless of solely signing a brand new three-year contract in May after prolonged negotiations — got here from the entourage of the participant himself.

Mbappe has brazenly admitted that he has not loved his place within the Paris assault this season, saying he performs with “more freedom” when on worldwide obligation.

But he insisted that there was no reality that he needed to depart Paris, saying: “It is completely false. I am very happy.”

Neymar’s aim in opposition to Marseille got here in first-half stoppage time as PSG beat their bitter rivals on the Parc des Princes to keep their unbeaten begin to the season.

The sport additionally featured a pink card for Marseille defender Samuel Gigot, who was dismissed within the second half for scything down Neymar.

It was a welcome return to profitable methods for PSG after three straight attracts and every week overshadowed by the doubts about Mbappe’s future.

PSG are three factors away from shock package deal Lorient, who drew 0-0 on Saturday with Reims.

Lens are 5 factors behind the leaders in third, with Marseille one other level adrift now in fourth.

‘BIG CHARACTERS’

Mbappe lined up for the Parisians alongside Neymar and the returning Lionel Messi in assault and was twice denied by advantageous Pau Lopez saves within the first half.

“He created lots of chances. He was in his favourite position most of the time. He just lacked a bit of luck and came up against a good goalkeeper,” coach Christophe Galtier informed broadcaster Amazon Prime.

“Obviously I have understood Kylian and that he wants to be in his favourite position,” mentioned Galtier, who switched from a again three to a again 4 in opposition to Marseille.

“That is also why we tried to play with a different system, but believe me when I say everything is fine in the dressing room.

“I’ve gamers with large characters however they’re nice professionals.”

Messi hit the underside of the crossbar from a first-half free-kick for PSG, who lost Danilo Pereira to injury in the first half.

Marseille, who beat Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League in midweek, were a threat when they got forward but could not find a response to Neymar’s goal.

BLANC LOSES LYON DEBUT

“I’m not annoyed,” their coach, Igor Tudor, told Amazon Prime.

“It completed 1-0 nevertheless it may have been perhaps 5-5 or 4-5 or 6-4. Paris deserved this win.”

Elsewhere, Lyon’s hunch continued as they went down 3-2 to Rennes of their first sport since appointing former PSG boss Laurent Blanc as their new coach.

Blanc succeeded the sacked Peter Bosz final week to return to French soccer greater than six years after his departure from Paris, the place he gained three Ligue 1 titles in three seasons.

He is now charged with reviving the fortunes of the seven-time former French champions however a brace from Martin Terrier and an Amine Gouiri aim gave Rennes the victory which leaves them fifth.

Alexandre Lacazette scored twice for Lyon who are actually tenth after seeing their run with out a win prolonged to six video games.

Monaco are sixth after a 1-1 draw with Clermont by which they had been hindered by the early sending-off of Malian midfielder Mohamed Camara.