Kylian Mbappé On France Exit: My Euro 2024 Was A 'failure'

MUNICH — Kylian Mbappé expressed his disappointment as France’s Euro 2024 campaign ended in failure following their 2-1 loss to Spain in the semifinal at the Allianz Arena. The French forward admitted that both his individual performance and the team’s overall effort fell short of their ambitions.

France’s Heartbreaking Semifinal Loss

In a highly anticipated clash, France took an early lead through Randal Kolo Muani, assisted by Mbappé. However, Spain responded with goals from Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo, securing their place in the final against either England or the Netherlands in Berlin on Sunday. This loss marked a bitter end for France, who had high hopes of claiming the European Championship title.

Mbappé’s Struggles and Self-Reflection

Mbappé’s tournament performance was a focal point of discussion. The Real Madrid star managed just one goal—a penalty against Poland in the group stage—across five appearances. Reflecting on his performance, Mbappé did not shy away from criticism. “My competition? It was difficult,” he stated. “It was a failure. We had the ambition to be European champions; I had the ambition to be European champion. We aren’t that, so it’s a failure.”

The 25-year-old acknowledged the need to move forward, noting the long and exhausting season. “It’s football. We have to move on. It’s been a long year. I’m going to go on holiday and get some rest—that’ll do me a lot of good, and I’ll try and come back strongly,” Mbappé said.

Overcoming Adversity: Mbappé’s Injury Challenges

Mbappé’s Euro 2024 journey was marred by injury. In France’s opening game against Austria, he broke his nose, forcing him to miss the match against the Netherlands. Upon returning, he played with a protective mask against Poland, Belgium, and Portugal but found it uncomfortable and eventually decided to discard it for the Spain match. “Wearing a mask was not easy for him; it restricted his vision and was an inconvenience,” France coach Didier Deschamps explained. “There was a medical consultation with the staff, and Kylian felt more at ease without the mask.”

France’s Offensive Struggles

France’s offensive struggles were evident throughout the tournament. Kolo Muani’s goal against Spain was the first by a French player from open play, with the team’s previous goals coming from two own goals and a penalty. The underwhelming performance of key players like Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann, who was dropped from the starting lineup against Spain, raised questions about the team’s effectiveness.

Deschamps addressed these concerns, taking full responsibility for the team’s performance. “I am not going to pass on the responsibility, I am in charge and I am responsible,” he said. “We were facing a Spain side with such quality. Even though Antoine didn’t start, Kylian did and we tried to do our best with what we had. And we tried to be as efficient as possible.”

Deschamps’ Future and France’s Prospects

Despite the setback, Deschamps’ future with the team remains intact. Having led France since 2012, taking them to two World Cup finals and a European Championship final, he is expected to continue as head coach through to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. “We did push until the end. I will not say that my players did not give their all. But they did not all play at 100% of their capacity in this Euros for several reasons,” Deschamps noted.

Olivier Giroud’s Farewell

The match against Spain was likely Olivier Giroud’s last for France. The striker, who recently moved to Los Angeles FC, had previously announced his intention to retire from international football following the Euros. Giroud made a brief appearance in the semifinal but was unable to add to his impressive tally of 57 goals in 137 appearances.

“He is disappointed like all the players,” Deschamps said of Giroud, who will turn 38 in September. “Olivier was here from the beginning [of my time] and he’s the last one from the first match we had. There have been some difficult periods, periods where he has not been as efficient. But he is an example of longevity, seriousness, and professionalism.”

Moving Forward: Lessons and Rebuilding

France’s exit from Euro 2024 offers several lessons and opportunities for rebuilding. The team will need to address the shortcomings that plagued their campaign, particularly the lack of offensive firepower and the underperformance of key players. With young talents emerging and seasoned veterans like Mbappé and Griezmann still in the mix, France has the potential to bounce back stronger.

For Mbappé, the tournament serves as a reminder of the challenges and pressures of international football. His determination to return stronger reflects his commitment to personal and team success. As the dust settles on Euro 2024, both France and Mbappé will look ahead, learning from their experiences and striving for future triumphs.

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