Kylian Mbappé recently made headlines by surpassing Olivier Giroud as France’s all-time top scorer, netting his 57th and 58th goals in a 3-1 victory over Senegal during the World Cup opener. While he insists his performance was not about “revenge,” it sparked conversations about his influence both on and off the pitch.

Before Euro 2024, Mbappé has openly criticized far-right politics in France, asserting his desire to represent a nation that aligns with his values. His stance, however, has attracted backlash, including from Michel Platini, who advised him to maintain political neutrality. Despite these challenges, Didier Deschamps, France's coach, notes that Mbappé's voice resonates with the team, although his popularity has waned since leaving Paris Saint-Germain.

The dynamics of France's attack have come into question, particularly regarding Ousmane Dembélé. After transitioning to a No 9 role at PSG, Dembélé struggled in the national setup, failing to make an impact in recent matches. In the opener against Senegal, he recorded only 40 touches, second to Mbappé, highlighting a collective failure as the team lacked shots on target in the first half.

Deschamps adjusted tactics at halftime, moving Dembélé to the right and introducing Michael Olise in the middle, which improved the team's performance. Olise, seen as a potential successor to Antoine Griezmann, has emerged as a crucial playmaker, facilitating Mbappé's scoring opportunities.

While Dembélé's ability is undoubted, the evidence suggests that his role in the France setup may be limited. With the upcoming match against Iraq, the focus will be on solidifying the connection between Mbappé and Olise, who are poised to lead the attack. As the team navigates this complex landscape, questions linger about Dembélé's future position within a squad built around Mbappé's undeniable talent.