Robert Pires has insisted Olivier Giroud should be picked for France ahead of teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe.
The Paris Saint-Germain star started in the 1-0 win over Bulgaria on Saturday night ahead of the Arsenal centre-forward.
Didier Deschamps now has to decide on his team for Tuesday's home tie with Belarus with victory guaranteeing Les Bleus a ticket to Russia.
But Gunners legend Pires said France cannot rely on the £166m signing at the World Cup finals.
The World Cup winner said: “Have people have forgotten his age or what? He is only 18 years old.
"He has a potential to be way above the average and yes it is absolutely necessary that it plays, but from there to make him a leader? It is too much pressure on him. Do not burn his wings.”
Deschamps played Mbappe up front along with Alexandre Lacazette and Antoine Greizmann against the Bulgarians.
“I was surprised at the choice of the system,” Pires told Le Parisien. “I prefer 4-4-2 which allows to have two attackers and real wingmen who can work offensively and defensively. I find it more balanced.
“With Lacazette, you have to be patient. Defensively, he made efforts. I do not worry in the long term.
"But for the World Cup, Deschamps will not change much and will respect the hierarchy with Giroud before Lacazette. With Olivier, he can count on a great pro who will never pose a problem and you can rely on him.”
Giroud has admitted he was “very close” to joining Everton in the summer but has insisted he has no regrets about staying at the Emirates.
“I had the chance to leave, I was very close to another English club, Everton,” he told Canal Plus.
“But I think I made the best choice. I have a lot of respect for Marseille, I was a fan for years. When I was little, with Papin, Waddle, etc..
"I also have a lot of respect for Lyon, who also had an interest at one point. I did not want to come back to France, I'm happy in England, it's nothing against these clubs. But a return to France is possible one day.”