Chase Back a Little!” – Mbappe Told He’ll Never Touch Zidane’s Icon Status in France

Kylian Mbappe has been warned he will never match Zinedine Zidane’s place in French football history, even if he wins another World Cup and smashes every scoring record going. Former World Cup winner Frank Leboeuf has delivered the blunt verdict, telling the Real Madrid star he “cannot compare” to Zizou and still has work to do to be truly loved back home.

Mbappe, now 27, already has a career most players would dream of. He won the World Cup in 2018 as a teenager, dragged France to another final in 2022 and scored a remarkable hat-trick in Qatar, only to lose on penalties to Lionel Messi’s Argentina. Painful, but historic all the same.

At club level, the numbers are eye-catching. Mbappe left Paris Saint-Germain as their all-time top scorer with 235 goals and has wasted little time settling in at Real Madrid after joining the Bernabeu in 2024. He’s also closing in on Olivier Giroud’s France record, sitting just two goals behind the veteran striker’s 57.

But when talk turns to greatness, Leboeuf isn’t having it. Speaking to GOAL, the 1998 World Cup winner was clear. “Definitely not. He cannot compare,” Leboeuf said. “Zidane is an icon. The way he played, the way he behaved, people loved him. Even with his mistakes in 2006, he’s untouchable.”

Leboeuf suggested Mbappe’s off-field controversies has counted against him in France, whether fair or not. “Kylian had some things in his private life that made some people angry. Zidane, Platini, Raymond Kopa – those players are on another level. Probably nobody will catch Zidane.”

The criticism didn’t stop there. While praising Mbappe’s goals, Leboeuf wants more graft. “He’s a great finisher, no doubt. Real Madrid are very lucky to have him. But I still want more,” he said. “When you lose the ball, chase back a little bit. Just a bit. Show you want to help your team-mates.”

Leboeuf also poured cold water on Mbappe’s Ballon d’Or hopes, calling the award a “business” and arguing midfield grafters often matter more than 40-goal strikers. Mbappe’s best finish so far is third in 2023, and with players like Rodri now being rewarded, the road looks tough.

For Mbappe, the challenge is clear. Goals alone won’t make him France’s greatest, and they might not even win him a Ballon d’Or. With Euro glory still missing and another World Cup on the horizon in 2026, the next few seasons will shape how he’s remembered. One thing’s for sure — Zidane’s shadow isn’t fading anytime soon.