Mbappé: 'Golden Boot can't replace the World Cup'

Kylian Mbappé, captain of France and Real Madrid forward, addressed fans after the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup. In a lengthy social media post, the 27-year-old reflected on the tournament, thanked his teammates, and bid farewell to longtime coach Didier Deschamps, who stepped down after 14 years at the helm. Mbappé finished as the tournament's top scorer with 10 goals in eight matches. He bagged braces against Senegal, Iraq, Sweden, and in the third-place playoff against England - a thrilling 6-4 loss that capped a bittersweet campaign for Les Bleus. France cruised through the group stage and knockout rounds before falling to eventual champions Spain 2-0 in the Dallas semifinal. "We didn't bring the trophy home. It hurts, and it will hurt for a while. I'm proud to have won the Golden Boot, but it would mean so much more if the World Cup was next to it. We gave everything - and that's something to be proud of," Mbappé wrote on Instagram. He credited his teammates for his goals, calling them a product of collective runs, passes, and spirit. Mbappé also paid tribute to Deschamps and the entire support staff - from physios to drivers - calling their contribution vital. Zinedine Zidane is widely expected to take over as head coach. This was Mbappé's third World Cup but his first as captain. After lifting the trophy in 2018 and losing the final in 2022, he called the leadership role a special pride. He now returns to Real Madrid for the 2026-27 season, while a refreshed France squad will prepare for UEFA Nations League fixtures. Mbappé closed his message with a promise: "This World Cup is over, but the story continues. Our journey together is far from finished." Separately, reports emerged that Neymar had a falling out with his Santos teammates following a match against Chapecoense.