Kylian Mbappé Admits World Cup Final Loss Still Hurts: 'It Makes You Sad But You Can't...'

Last Updated:October 14, 2025, 13:24 IST

Kylian Mbappe reflects on Argentina's deserved 2022 World Cup victory.

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe. (Picture Credit: X/@realmadrid)

Star French forward Kylian Mbappe has said that Argentina deserved to win the 2022 World Cup final because they were better throughout the game, adding that the defeat still makes him sad. Mbappe was part of the French team that got outclassed in the final in Doha three years ago.

Mbappe sat down with Movistar Futbol for a chat from the French national team camp, touching on several different topics.

Mbappe spoke about the 2022 World Cup, revealing that the memories still linger and might fuel him and his teammates to do better next year.

“World Cup final? Argentina deserved to win; they were better throughout the whole match. You don’t think about scoring in a final, but about winning it. It was a crazy match that Argentina deserved to win; they were better throughout the whole game. We had a moment when we were the better team, but if you look at the whole match, their victory was deserved," Mbappe said.

“It makes you sad, but you cannot forget it, because 2026 is coming and we don’t want to end up sad again," Mbappe added.

Star footballer Lionel Messi netted twice for Argentina in the match before converting a penalty in the shootout.

France play out draw against Iceland

France, World Cup winners in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, were without a host of players in Reykjavik, including skipper Mbappe and Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, both out injured.

France fell behind to a Victor Palsson goal late in the first half, but Christopher Nkunku equalised just after the hour mark.

Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta then gave France the lead midway through the second half, getting his first senior international goal on his first start.

However, Iceland were back level almost from the restart as Kristian Hlynsson of FC Twente ran through unchallenged to make it 2-2.

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