France Captain Kylian Mbappe has revealed that he has never rewatched the dramatic 2022 FIFA World Cup final against Argentina, admitting that revisiting the match could bring back painful memories. Speaking in an interview with fantasy football platform Sorare, the forward said watching the final again could "wake demons" because of the heartbreak associated with France's defeat despite his remarkable individual performance. Mbappe scored a memorable hat-trick in the final, becoming only the second player in history to achieve the feat in a World Cup final.
Reflecting on the match, Mbappe described the 2022 final as potentially the greatest World Cup final ever played. He pointed to the quality of football, the high stakes, and the dramatic twists that unfolded during the contest. The final ended in a penalty shootout after an intense battle between France and Argentina, ultimately allowing Argentine captain Lionel Messi to lift the World Cup trophy for the first time in his career.
Mbappe acknowledged the historical significance of the match, noting that the outcome would have been memorable regardless of the winner. He said the final represented either Messi's long-awaited World Cup triumph or France's chance to secure back-to-back titles. While he praised the spectacle and entertainment value of the contest, he emphasized that the disappointment of losing still outweighs any desire to relive the occasion.
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The French star also addressed the long-running debate surrounding Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Mbappe rejected the common narrative that one player's success is based purely on talent while the other's is built entirely on hard work. According to him, such opinions often come from people who have never experienced elite-level football training and fail to understand the dedication required to reach the top of the sport.
Mbappe stressed that both Messi and Ronaldo possess extraordinary talent and an exceptional work ethic, qualities that have enabled them to dominate world football for nearly two decades. His comments reflect the respect he holds for two of the game's greatest players while highlighting the commitment required to achieve sustained success at the highest level. As France continues its preparations for future international competitions, Mbappe remains focused on creating new memories rather than revisiting one of the most painful moments of his career.
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