Kylian Mbappe vows France will stay hungry after Spain World Cup defeat
Kylian Mbappe has vowed France will remain driven for trophies after their 2-0 World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain, insisting the squad cannot allow one painful exit to weaken its ambition.
The France captain, 27, said the loss was hard to take but stopped short of calling it the worst defeat of his career. Mbappe has also been beaten in a World Cup final and a Champions League final during a career that includes lifting the World Cup in 2018.
“It was difficult,” Mbappe said. “The hardest? I don’t know, because I have lost a World Cup final and a Champions League final.”
France take positives from tournament
Mbappe believes France can still be proud of their World Cup run, particularly the image the team showed and its bond with supporters.
He added that World Cup success cannot be expected every time, but said the key is retaining the urge to win. “You cannot win the World Cup every time,” he said. “But we are always hungry for victory. When that hunger disappears, it is finished.”
What happens next
- Mbappe returns to Real Madrid duty following France’s semi-final elimination.
- Real Madrid begin their new Champions League campaign against Inter.
- The forward will look to turn international disappointment into a response at the Bernabeu, where Madrid’s target remains silverware in every competition.
