Kylian Mbappé reveals breaking point after racist abuse: “I almost quit France”

Speaking alongside Aurélien Tchouaméni and Achraf Hakimi on The Bridge podcast, Kylian Mbappé delivered one of the most candid interviews of his career, covering everything from racism to his future and his soccer idols.

Among the most powerful revelations was his account of the racist abuse he received after missing a decisive penalty against Switzerland at UEFA Euro 2020, a miss that sent France national team crashing out in the round of 16.

“I started getting monkey insults,” Mbappé said. “I went on vacation and felt like a living dead man. I was in shock.”

The fallout hit him so hard that he considered quitting international soccer altogether.

“I asked for a meeting with Noël Le Graët and told him I didn’t want to play for France anymore.”

From national hero to emotional collapse

Mbappé described the emotional whiplash of going from World Cup winner to target of abuse almost overnight.

“When I came into the national team, I immediately won the World Cup and became a national hero,” he said. “Then all of that hits you at once. It’s tough.”

The Real Madrid forward’s comments highlight the psychological toll elite athletes face, especially in the age of social media scrutiny.

Mbappé’s difficult final year at PSG

Mbappé also spoke about his relationship with Luis Enrique during his final season at Paris Saint-Germain.

“He’s a great coach who says exactly what he thinks,” Mbappé explained. “But unfortunately, I had him in my final contract year, which was a roller coaster.”

He revealed he was sidelined early in the season and barely featured in league play during his final months after deciding to leave.

“I enjoyed him tactically as a soccer fan,” he said. “But in my situation, I couldn’t truly enjoy it.”

No regrets after PSG exit

Reflecting on PSG’s eventual Champions League success after his departure, Mbappé insisted there were no hard feelings.

“I felt like I had reached the end of the book,” he said. “Seven years, I had done everything. Quarterfinals, semifinals, a final. It no longer made sense to continue.”

He added that their loss to Borussia Dortmund still stings.

“If you play that game 500 times, you win 499.”

Ronaldo, Zidane, and defining greatness

Mbappé reaffirmed his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane, calling them his biggest influences.

“My first idol was Zidane, and Cristiano came after,” he said. “As a forward, Cristiano showed every possible version of the role.”

Why Mbappé never chased bigger money

In a surprising admission, Mbappé revealed he could have earned far more if his father had managed his contracts.

“My father never handled my deals,” he said. “If he had, I’d probably be earning absurd salaries today. But that’s not how we chose to do things.”

“I’m tired of interviews”

Mbappé also explained why he has grown increasingly reluctant to speak to the media.

“It’s like a boxing match with the journalist,” he said. “They want to get statements out of you that you don’t want to make.”

How Messi’s brilliance left Mbappé stunned

The French star was full of praise for Lionel Messi, his former teammate at PSG, even sharing a training ground story that left him amazed.

“It’s crazy. It’s not like Neymar, he does everything right,” Mbappé said. “We were doing finishing drills in Paris. Neymar and I scored six or seven out of ten. Messi took nine shots and scored nine identical goals, perfectly placed.”

“I looked at the goalkeeper like, ‘Do you not see this?’ It was unbelievable.”

The easiest position in soccer?

Mbappé didn’t hold back when discussing roles on the field, calling center back the easiest position in soccer.

“You’re covered from every direction,” he said. “It’s the only position where you still see 40-year-olds playing at top European clubs. A 40-year-old forward is finished.”

He also addressed criticism of his defensive work.

“I defend less than others, and sometimes that’s an issue,” he admitted. “But when I do press, it has a real impact. At Madrid, when I go, everyone follows.”

Why Achraf Hakimi chose Morocco over Spain

Hakimi, one of Mbappé’s closest friends, also shared his own story on the podcast, including why he chose to represent Morocco over Spain.

“Spain called me several times,” Hakimi said. “I went to train with them, but I didn’t feel comfortable.”

At the time, he was still a youth player at Real Madrid.

“I felt the best decision for my career and my family was to choose Morocco,” he explained. “It’s something you have to feel. It’s personal.”

He also joked about potentially facing Mbappé in a World Cup final. “I’d injure him,” Hakimi laughed.

Mbappé quickly replied, “On the field, there are no brothers.”

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