Global superstar and current Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe is in North America, preparing for the upcoming 2026 World Cup with his home country, France. After lifting the trophy in 2018, the French national team fell just short of back-to-back titles, losing to Lionel Messi and Argentina via a penalty shoot-out in 2022.
Mbappe, who’s been known to be a basketball enthusiast, was recently asked about his top-five NBA players, naming one former Duke alum. Although Mbappe had plenty of former Blue Devils to choose from, like Kyrie Irving, Jalen Johnson and Cooper Flagg, he chose a 2024 NBA champion, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum. LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokoumpo and Luka Doncic were the other four NBA players mentioned. Surprisingly enough, Mbappe didn’t mention his countryman Victor Wembanyama.
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Mbappe and France will begin their tournament June 16 in New York New Jersey Stadium, home of the New York Jets and New York Giants of the NFL.
This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: Kylian Mbappe gives a shoutout to Jayson Tatum ahead of 2026 World Cup
