Kylian Mbappe said he is having the “competition of my dreams” at the World Cup after two goals in France‘s 3-1 win against Poland sent the world champions into the quarterfinals and left opposing coach Czeslaw Michniewicz billing him as the natural heir to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Mbappe, who helped France win the 2018 World Cup in Russia, moved into pole position in the race for this tournament’s Golden Boot with his two goals taking him to five so far in Qatar.
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His double at Al Thumama took him to nine all-time World Cup goals — one more than Ronaldo and tied with Messi — and his five knockout stage goals mean only he and Pele (6) have score that many before the age of 24.
Speaking after the game, which seals a last eight tie against either England or Senegal, Mbappe said he is enjoying every minute of this tournament.
“This is competition of my dreams and I am delighted to be here,” Mbappe said. “I have prepared all season to be ready.
“When I didn’t speak to the media in the early rounds of this competition, it was because I just needed to focus on tournament and my football. When I want to concentrate, that’s how I function, but when I was told the French Federation would be fined, I paid it myself because it was my responsibility.
“But I am here and focused on winning the World Cup again. We’re a long way from achieving our objective of going all the way and winning World Cup, though. The first challenge is the quarterfinal and that’s what we are focusing on now.”
