Kylian Mbappe has admitted he will be in "pain for a while" following France's exit from the World Cup. In a 520-word statement, the 27-year-old forward expressed his disappointment with the team's "better ending" that fans may have deserved, referencing their 2-0 loss to Spain in the semifinals and a 6-4 defeat against England in the third-place playoff.
Despite the heartbreak, Mbappe conveyed a strong sense of gratitude and pride. He acknowledged that while winning the Golden Boot with 10 goals, making him the most prolific man in World Cup history with 22 goals, was an honor, it would have been more meaningful with a World Cup trophy alongside it. "We're not bringing a collective trophy home. It hurts, and it will hurt for a while. I won't pretend otherwise," Mbappe wrote.
He extended his thanks to his teammates, emphasizing that the award belonged to the team as much as to him. Mbappe reflected on his childhood dream of playing in a World Cup, a dream he has now experienced three times, including captaining his country in this tournament. He also expressed gratitude to the coaching staff, support personnel, and the fans, both in the stadium and those who stayed up late to watch the matches from afar. "You never stopped believing in us. Not in the hardest moments," he stated.
Mbappe also thanked Didier Deschamps, the national team manager who is stepping down after 14 years. The statement concluded with Mbappe's perspective on football as a game that unites people, promising that the journey with the French national team is far from over and that there will be future opportunities for togetherness.
Mbappe was seen on holiday in Miami shortly after the World Cup loss. He was photographed at LIV Nightclub with his girlfriend, Spanish actress Ester Exposito. The couple had dinner before attending the nightclub and were later seen aboard a boat. Photos of Exposito wearing Mbappe's French kit, including his captain's armband, circulated after being briefly posted to his Instagram story. Rumors of their relationship had persisted since March, with earlier sightings in Paris and Italy.
France finished fourth in Didier Deschamps' final tournament in charge, with Mbappe ending as the World Cup's top scorer.