PARIS, France: The Kylian Mbappé open letter published on July 27 thanked France supporters and acknowledged the pain of finishing fourth at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The message appeared in advertising space across several French newspapers, including L’Équipe. Mbappé said failing to win a team trophy would continue to hurt and acknowledged that France may have owed its supporters a better ending.
However, the French captain said the players had given everything during the tournament. He thanked fans who watched late at night or travelled to North America, saying they never abandoned the team during its most difficult moments, L’Équipe reported.
Mbappé won the Golden Boot with 10 goals. The tally raised his career World Cup total to a record 22, one more than Lionel Messi.
The Real Madrid forward credited his teammates’ runs, passes and collective work for the scoring achievement. He said the award belonged to the entire squad, not just him.
Read: Kylian Mbappe Wins Second World Cup Golden Boot After 10 Goals
France lost 2-0 to eventual champions Spain in the semi-finals. England then secured third place with a 6-4 victory at Miami Stadium on July 18, despite two second-half goals from Mbappé, according to the French Football Federation.
Mbappé also thanked former France coach Didier Deschamps and the team’s physiotherapists, cooks, trainers and drivers. The England defeat ended Deschamps’ 14-year tenure after 185 matches and the 2018 World Cup title.
