This pain will last long: Kylian Mbappé shares all his feelings after France missed out on the 2026 World Cup title.
On 28 July 2026, Kylian Mbappé, the star striker and captain of the French national team, revealed his feelings after failing to secure the 2026 World Cup title as planned. The "Les Bleus" finished in fourth place, closing the 14-year coaching era of Didier Deschamps.
Although Kylian Mbappé won the Golden Boot at the 2026 World Cup with 10 goals and became the all-time top scorer in World Cup finals with 22 goals, the Real Madrid forward confirmed he wanted to win his second World Cup title after 2018 even more.
Kylian Mbappé opened up about the 2026 World Cup through his personal social media as follows:
Thank you.
The past month has been full of many emotions. It was a time when we pushed beyond our limits and took pride in wearing the French national colors on the field. Above all else, it was the passion and strong determination that powered both us on the pitch and all of you, whether watching at home or cheering in the stands. This was an experience we shared together—an unforgettable story.
We did not bring the trophy home together. It is painful and will likely hurt for some time. I cannot deny this feeling. I am proud to have won the Golden Boot, but it would have meant much more with the World Cup trophy. Perhaps we owe you a better ending, but we cannot always decide the final chapter. What we can choose is the dedication we put in, and we gave everything we had. That is something we can be proud of.
Thank you to all my teammates. Without their hard work, runs, passes, and the spirit that drove us from the first match to the last, I wouldn't have scored so many goals. This award belongs to the team as much as it does to me. As a child, I dreamed of playing in a World Cup even once. Now, I've played three times, won one title, and this year had the great honor of wearing the captain's armband. I will never forget these moments.
Many of you stayed up late, some well into the night, to watch us compete from the other side of the world. You gathered at home and in various venues with family and friends, both in France and other lands worldwide. Some even came to cheer at the stadium waving French flags, including children with eyes shining with excitement, people of all ages and backgrounds united by the simple joy of sharing these moments together.
You never stopped believing in us, even in the toughest times or when our performance didn't match the support we received. This story was written by millions of people, not just the 11 players on the field. Everyone was driven by the same passion.
As for Didier, I have said everything I wanted to say. He understands well. Thank you to him, all the staff, physiotherapists, chefs, fitness coaches, drivers, and everyone working behind the scenes unseen by many. Without them, none of this would have been possible. And thank you to everyone who welcomed and supported us throughout our journey across the United States.
At its core, football remains a game—a competition we take seriously and spend our lives mastering. But it is still just a game, and ultimately, its heart is the same as when we first started playing: the ball, the goal, and the desire to score. That is why this sport unites us all.
The World Cup has ended, but our story continues. Many more matches lie ahead, both in summer and winter, where we will reunite for this game with excitement that never fades. The path we walk together is long and far from over.
Thank you for everything, Kylian Mbappé.
*Image from Instagram: k.mbappe
