Kylian Mbappe is on a mission of redemption inspired by Lionel Messi at the 2026 World Cup, according to former France striker Louis Saha. The French talisman is determined to make amends for the heartbreak suffered in Qatar 2022, where despite scoring a memorable hat-trick in the final, his side fell to Argentina in dramatic fashion. Now competing on North American soil, Mbappe’s focus is on rewriting that painful chapter.

Mbappe has been shining brightly alongside Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele, and Bradley Barcola as France continue to live up to their billing as tournament favourites. The attacking depth of Didier Deschamps’ side has been on full display, with Mbappe thriving in his leadership role.

Having recently become France’s all-time leading scorer with 63 goals, Mbappe has already found the back of the net seven times in five matches during this tournament. Those numbers have once again placed the Real Madrid superstar in direct competition with Argentine legend Lionel Messi for the Golden Boot title.

There remains a strong possibility that the two nations could meet again in the final, with France and Argentina advancing through opposite halves of the draw. Should both teams progress, football fans could be treated to another thrilling showdown between Europe’s and South America’s finest — possibly near New York.

Mbappe would relish a chance to face his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Messi once again. For him, lifting the World Cup a second time would not only cement his legacy but also deny the Argentine great the chance to match his own two-time triumph.

France’s journey so far has been largely smooth, though their last-16 tie against Paraguay proved tense, with Mbappe’s penalty making the difference. Argentina, on the other hand, narrowly escaped elimination against Egypt in a nail-biting five-goal encounter. Both teams now face tougher challenges ahead before any potential rematch can materialise, but Mbappe’s desire to reclaim the crown remains unwavering.

When asked whether the 27-year-old is driven by revenge, Saha told GOAL, speaking on behalf of Freebets.com: “Definitely. The way I see it, there’s a kind of unity in this French team that hasn’t been seen for quite some time.

“I remember when I was part of the team in 2006 with Zinedine Zidane and Patrick Vieira; those players were nearing the end of their careers, yet their mentality was to give everything on the pitch. The current team has that same spirit. They’re young — 25, 27 years old — but already have the hunger to make history. They’re playing well, enjoying themselves, and showing great togetherness.”

He added, “It’s inspiring. It reminds me of the energy Paris Saint-Germain have shown in recent seasons — solid yet entertaining, with fast, confident football and strong midfield control. I’m very impressed, and Kylian Mbappe perfectly embodies that spirit. His quest for revenge is rooted in history. Many players have been part of this journey — successful in 2018 and 2022 — but just missed the final step. The evolution of this Didier Deschamps team is truly remarkable.”

France will return to action on Thursday in their quarter-final clash against Morocco at Gillette Stadium in Boston. Mbappe will once again lead the line, with growing suggestions that his performances could put him firmly in contention for the elusive Ballon d’Or.

Messi, already the proud owner of eight Ballon d’Or titles, could also strengthen his case if Argentina continue their winning run. Lionel Scaloni’s men are set to face Switzerland on Saturday in their own quarter-final fixture.