France captain Kylian Mbappe has penned an emotional open letter to the nation following the team's disappointing finish at the 2026 World Cup. The Real Madrid forward expressed his gratitude to fans and teammates while reflecting on the heartbreak of the tournament, which concluded with France finishing in fourth place after a loss to England in the third place playoff.

Mbappe's heartfelt reflection

In the letter published in a regional daily, Mbappe addressed the fans one week after the World Cup campaign ended. He shared personal memories, including a childhood photo of himself in front of a poster of his idol, Thierry Henry. The captain did not shy away from expressing the pain of not securing a team trophy, stating, "We didn't bring home a team trophy. It hurts, and it will continue to hurt for a while, I'm not going to lie to you about that."

A message of gratitude to supporters

Mbappe dedicated a significant portion of his letter to the French fans who supported the team throughout the tournament, despite the challenging time differences. He acknowledged their dedication, saying, "You stayed up late, sometimes until the dead of night depending on the time zone, to watch us play on the other side of the world." He highlighted the unity among fans, noting, "Children with shining eyes, men and women of all backgrounds and generations, united by the same joy: the joy of sharing."

Individual accolades and team spirit

While Mbappe finished as the tournament's top scorer with 10 goals, he emphasized that this individual achievement was overshadowed by the team's ultimate goal of winning the cup. He remarked, "I take the title of top scorer with pride, but it would have been so much better with the cup as well." He acknowledged the collective effort of the team, stating, "We are proud of that," and paid tribute to his teammates who contributed to the journey.

In closing, Mbappe's letter serves as a poignant reminder of the passion and dedication shared between the players and their supporters, reinforcing the emotional bond that defines football.