Mbappé writes open letter to fans after World Cup loss

France captain Kylian Mbappé has addressed the nation with a deeply personal open letter, reflecting on the heartbreak of the 2026 World Cup and expressing profound gratitude to supporters and teammates. The letter was published in French regional newspapers on Monday, July 27, one week after the tournament concluded with France finishing in fourth place.

The 27-year-old Real Madrid star, who captained the side, did not hide his disappointment after Les Bleus were defeated 2-0 by eventual champions Spain in the semifinals and then lost 6-4 to England in the third-place playoff. "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," Mbappé wrote.

A significant portion of the letter was dedicated to the French fans who followed the team's matches in North America despite significant time differences. He praised their unwavering support, whether they gathered in homes and bars across France or traveled to stadiums in the United States. "This story was written by millions of hands, not just eleven on the field, all driven by the same passion," Mbappé emphasized.

Individually, Mbappé finished as the...