Wilfried Mbappé on Kvaratskhelia: "I don't care about his run"

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·10 septembre 2025

Wilfried Mbappé on Kvaratskhelia: "I don't care about his run"

Wilfrid Mbappé, father of Kylian Mbappé, was invited by L’Equipe to discuss his son's style as Kylian is in the spotlight after reaching the 2nd place in the French national team's goal-scoring ranking. It was an opportunity to emphasize that the criticized lack of defensive efforts is not an issue according to him. He referred to the famous run by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (24-year-old PSG forward) in the Champions League final against Inter Milan on Denzel Dumfries.

"The run made by PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, I don't care."

"Is the fullback an attacker or a defender? What do we ask of him? I'm not saying Kylian shouldn't defend, but how do we judge a player? I don't care if a fullback crosses well. Each position has its specificity. We criticize a guy who still scores 60 goals per season. What I do reproach him for, however, is that if there's a fight nearby, come and help." I might shock by saying this, but the run made by PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the Champions League final in the 80th minute, I don't care. Kylian, that's not his game."

"If he only has to do defensive retreats, we're not in the same room."

He does things that others are incapable of doing. That doesn't mean we're going to say "Kvara doesn't score 60 goals per season." So, everyone positions themselves as they want, but I'm one of those who will never say that to attackers. And not because he's my son. I'm not saying he shouldn't defend, but if he only has to do defensive retreats, we're not in the same room."

There was speculation whether PSG's Champions League title could lead to a reassessment on Mbappé's part, with more collective efforts to come. But he rather emphasized that he was close to winning with Paris and didn't know why it hadn't happened. Here we see his father clearly defending his son's few defensive runs. The answer is therefore clear.

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Part of it is incomprehensible, the specialty of the attacker is to be decisive. And great defensive efforts can lead to a loss of offensive clarity. Therefore, the right balance must be found. It seems quite possible for Mbappé to defend a bit more while remaining regularly decisive.

This would be interesting for the team, a crucial point in football. Few players score as many goals per season as Mbappé (even if it's not 60, by the way). But many others have won the Champions League. A reflection could be made, a change could help.

Fortunately, this issue does not concern PSG. They are European champions, with forwards who haven't scored 50 goals. But they have all been decisive and have helped the team with their efforts. The team has thus been stronger and the reward is beautiful. Mbappé has every right to think about the goals scored, it's a matter of priority.