Dressing room in good spirits: Mbappe ahead of France's World Cup opener

France captain Kylian Mbappe expressed confidence in his team's readiness for their FIFA World Cup campaign opener against Senegal. He described the team's dressing room atmosphere as being in "good spirits" and confirmed his own excellent physical condition, signaling his eagerness to bring the World Cup trophy back home.

Mbappe, a pivotal figure leading France's quest for a third World Cup title, addressed the team's morale, particularly considering the presence of players who recently competed in the UEFA Champions League final. He spoke about managing the emotions of teammates like Arsenal's William Saliba, who narrowly missed out on a historic double. "I quickly congratulated my PSG (his former club) teammates. It is easier to console one teammate (Saliba) who's lost the Champions League than five," Mbappe was quoted as saying by Goal.com, highlighting his efforts to support Saliba.

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I quickly congratulated my PSG (his former club) teammates. It is easier to console one teammate (Saliba) who's lost the Champions League than five. It is brilliant what they (Arsenal) have achieved. I know what it is like to lose a Champions League final, and we have tried to console Saliba. The dressing room is in good spirits, and now we're focusing on our goal, which is the World Cup.

The star forward acknowledged the difficulty of losing a Champions League final and conveyed that the team has been working to console Saliba. He reiterated that the "dressing room is in good spirits, and now we're focusing on our goal, which is the World Cup." Mbappe also downplayed concerns about his own fitness, stating, "I am in good physical shape. I am very happy to be with the national team."

Looking ahead, Mbappe stressed the importance of tactical and mental preparation, recognizing the high stakes and minimal room for error in the World Cup. "We are aware that it is going to be a tough road ahead. We are ready to compete and try to reach the final," he added. He aims to continue making history, but his primary motivation remains securing the World Cup title for France, who were runners-up in 2022 after winning in 2018.

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I am in good physical shape. I am very happy to be with the national team. It is an important moment for us. We are starting to take a lot of things on board internally. We have had a good pre-tournament build-up. We are aware that it is going to be a tough road ahead. We are ready to compete and try to reach the final.