After concluding an unsatisfactory journey at the 2026 World Cup in the semifinals, the France national team captain unexpectedly shared a long message to fans on his personal page.
On July 27, Kylian Mbappe posted a letter on his personal Instagram alongside a brief caption: “Thank you”. In the post, he attached a childhood photo as well as moments captured alongside his coach and teammates.
“A month filled with emotion. A month of pushing past all personal limits. A month of pride wearing the France national team jersey. And above all, passion – the passion that drove us on the pitch, and the passion that drove you, whether watching from home or cheering live in the stands. That is what we experienced together. A truly extraordinary journey,” Mbappe opened.
The player born in 1998 reiterated his regret over being unable to bring home the 2026 World Cup trophy. To him, it was painful, and that pain “will remain for a while longer”.
Mbappe was proud to win the Golden Boot award, but that title would have been far more complete if placed alongside a World Cup championship.
“Perhaps we owed you a better ending. But we don’t always get to choose how the story ends. The only thing we can choose is to give everything we have. And we did that. That alone is enough to be proud of,” he shared.
The France captain also extended his gratitude to the teammates who stood by his side and the fans who continuously accompanied and cheered on the team throughout the past journey. He also paid tribute to the entire coaching staff, physiotherapists, chefs, fitness coaches, drivers, and the quiet people working behind the scenes – “those whom no one sees, but without whom none of this could have become a reality”.
In particular, Mbappe affirmed that although this World Cup has come to a close, the story of him and his teammates continues.
“Our journey is still very long and certainly not over,” he promised. Mbappe’s post quickly gathered over 3 million interactions alongside thousands of comments. Most fans offered words of encouragement and appreciation to the forward and his teammates for all they dedicated at the recent World Cup.
In recent days, Mbappe enjoyed some time off with his girlfriend Ester Exposito after concluding the World Cup. The couple was spotted shopping together, enjoying private moments in luxury restaurants and on yachts.
Mbappe’s comfortable appearance alongside the Spanish actress was also viewed as a move to make his relationship public. Previously, he had “accidentally” posted a photo of Ester Exposito wearing his number 10 jersey before deleting it, sparking widespread chatter among fans.
