Just hours before Didier Deschamps' final match as manager of the French national team , Kylian Mbappé posted a lengthy message thanking the coach. The French captain reflected on their years together, the successes achieved, and his disappointment at not being able to offer a happier ending to the tenure of the man who has led the team since 2012.
Mbappé regrets the defeat against Spain
The message comes ahead of the 2026 World Cup third-place match between France and England, played this Saturday, July 18th at 23 p.m. in Miami. Defeated 2-0 by Spain in the semi-final, Les Bleus saw their dream of reaching a third consecutive World Cup final crumble. Kylian Mbappé directly addresses this elimination. The French captain acknowledges that the players would have liked to offer their coach a more prestigious final match, in the World Cup final. He doesn't try to soften the team's responsibility and writes bluntly: "We should have given you a better ending, but we failed."
"Time and history will take care of it."
In his tribute, Mbappé also defended Didier Deschamps ' record , sometimes criticized despite his results. He believes that the importance of Deschamps' time as manager of Les Bleus will be fully recognized in retrospect. The Real Madrid player called Deschamps " one of the greatest legends of our country" and emphasized the role the coach played in his international career. First called up to the French national team in 2017, Mbappé won the 2018 World Cup and the 2021 Nations League under Deschamps' leadership. He also played in the 2022 World Cup final.
The full message from Kylian Mbappé
"Today is your last dance."
You who have given us so much.
We should have given you a better ending, but we failed.
Putting into words what you've contributed over these 14 years is very difficult, as you've been a major player in this team's resurgence. People haven't always appreciated your greatness, but time and history will take care of that…
Thank you for giving me the chance and opportunity to represent my country on the biggest stage for so many years.
I feel privileged to have been able to stand alongside one of our country's greatest legends, and I have only excellent memories of everything we experienced and accomplished together.
I wish you all the best in your new adventure, and thank you again for everything you have contributed to this jersey which means so much to us.
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A 185th and final match as manager of the French national team
Didier Deschamps will manage his 185th and final match as national team coach against England. Before this last game, his record stands at 120 wins, 35 draws, and 29 losses. No other coach has managed as many matches for the French national team.
Arriving after Euro 2012, the former captain of the 1998 World Cup champions rebuilt a team that had been weakened by several difficult tournaments. Under his leadership, France reached the final of Euro 2016, won the 2018 World Cup, won the 2021 Nations League, and reached another World Cup final in 2022. Les Bleus also reached the semi-finals of Euro 2024 and the 2026 World Cup.
One last medal to go for against England
Eliminated by Spain, France will try to leave the competition with the bronze medal. England also missed out on the final after their 2-1 defeat against Argentina, conceded in the dying minutes of the second semi-final. For Didier Deschamps, this third-place match will officially mark the end of his 14 years at the helm of Les Bleus. For Kylian Mbappé and his teammates, it represents a final opportunity to give him a victory before his departure. The captain's message already shows that, whatever the result against England, this turning point goes far beyond a simple third-place match.
