Kylian Mbappé Reflects on the World Cup Final and His Bond with Lionel Messi

In a heartfelt revelation, Kylian Mbappé shared how the intensity of the World Cup final shaped his relationship with Lionel Messi. Speaking about their time together at Paris Saint-Germain after Argentina’s triumph, Mbappé recounted the emotions he felt seeing Messi just days after that epic showdown in Qatar.

“After the World Cup final, when I saw Messi at PSG training, I was still so mad,” Mbappé admitted with a laugh. Despite scoring a historic hat-trick in the final, Mbappé’s France fell short in the penalty shootout, crowning Messi’s Argentina as champions.

But it was Messi’s words that brought perspective. “He told me I had already won it before, and now it was his turn.” Those simple yet profound words resonated with Mbappé.

“I was incredibly angry,” he confessed, “but you respect it because it’s Messi.”

Despite the fierce competition on the pitch, Mbappé and Messi found a way to move past the rivalry. “We broke the ice by laughing together because we had fought a battle. We created memories from the final.”

Reflecting on their journey as teammates, Mbappé expressed admiration for Messi’s influence on his growth as a player and a person. “I think that final brought us closer. I learned a lot from him.”

Their bond, forged in the heat of competition, stands as a testament to the mutual respect shared between two of the greatest footballers of their generation. While their battle in the World Cup final remains etched in history, it also laid the foundation for a camaraderie that transcends the game.