French forward of Madrid’s “Real” and the French national team, Kylian Mbappé, recalled one of the most difficult and painful periods in his career. According to him, after one unsuccessful match with the national team, he faced harsh criticism and even insults.
This refers to the Round of 16 match of the 2020 European Championship. In that game, France played against Switzerland and suffered a dramatic defeat. Regulation time ended 3–3, after which the outcome was decided in a penalty shootout, where Mbappé’s shot did not turn into a goal.
The footballer admitted that after this episode, he was under strong pressure from the fans. According to him, some people insulted him, even using racially charged language.
“They started calling me a ‘monkey.’ At that moment, I asked myself: am I really playing for such people? The national team is the most important thing for me, but one mistake can drop you to the very bottom,” he recalls.
Mbappé did not hide that this moment had a very strong impact on him. He took a break and during the first days felt mentally broken. Moreover, he seriously considered not returning to the national team.
He also stated that he met with the then-president of the French Football Federation, Noël Le Graët. During the conversation, he expressed his intention to stop playing for the national team. However, the federation president tried to persuade him otherwise.
“I did not want to return, I wanted to go to Paris and play calmly there. But they told me that I had to forget about this situation,” the footballer said.
This incident once again shows how much pressure footballers face not only on the field but also psychologically. One match, one shot — and public opinion can change drastically.
Despite this, Mbappé managed to overcome the difficulties and continues to play at a high level. This proves that he is not only a talented player but also a person with a strong character.
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