Kylian Mbappe has fired a warning to England ahead of their World Cup quarter-final showdown with France this weekend - with the Paris Saint-Germain superstar fixated on fulfilling his "dream" of becoming a world champion again.
Mbappe, 23, was just 19-years-old when France lifted the Jules Rimet trophy back in 2018. The striker, who confirmed his status as one of football's hottest prospects with four goals in six games in Russia, has since evolved into of Europe's most esteemed - and feared - attacking players.
But becoming a world champion at such an early age has not quenched Mbappe's "obsession" with the World Cup; and Didier Deschamps' talisman has already set his sights on adding another world title to his glittering resume.
"Of course, this World Cup is an obsession for me, it's the competition of my dreams," Mbappe said after France swept past Poland to book a date against England in the last eight.
"I have built my season around this competition and around being ready both physically and mentally for it. I wanted to come here ready and so far things are going well, but we are still a long way from the objective we set and that I set."
Mbappe and France are now on a collision course with Gareth Southgate's Three Lions following England's impressive 3-0 win over Senegal on Sunday night. But the reigning world champions, and pre-tournament favourites, will be a different proposition entirely for England - particularly with the ever-impressive Mbappe in their arsenal.
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The PSG star has been in electric form in Qatar: his brilliant brace against Poland means Mbappe has now nudged ahead of his rivals to top the goalscoring charts after plundering five goals in four games for Deschamps side.
Already, Mbappe has surpassed the four strikes he notched in Russia. He was also instrumental in France's opener, teeing up Olivier Giroud for the strike that enabled the former Arsenal star to finally break Thierry Henry's all-time goalscoring record for the national team.
But the coveted PSG star - who has once again been linked with a move away from Parc des Princes in recent months - has insisted that his focus is on winning the tournament rather than any personal accolades that may be up for grabs.
He added: "The only objective for me is to win the World Cup which means now to win the quarter-final. That is what I am dreaming of. I didn't come here to win the Golden Ball. That is not why I am here. I am here to win and help the French national team."
