Kylian Mbappe shared an emotional farewell message for Didier Deschamps after the France coach ended his 14-year tenure following the FIFA World Cup 2026. Mbappe thanked the World Cup-winning manager and hailed his lasting legacy.
Kylian Mbappe (1st L) of France celebrates after scoring during the round of 32 match between France and Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the New York New Jersey Stadium, the United States, June 30, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua via IANS)
France captain Kylian Mbappe paid a heartfelt tribute to outgoing head coach Didier Deschamps after the end of the latter’s 14-year reign with Les Bleus, thanking him for transforming French football and apologising for not giving him the farewell he deserved.
France’s campaign at the FIFA World Cup 2026 ended with a 6-4 defeat to England in the third-place play-off, bringing the curtain down on one of the most successful coaching tenures in the nation’s history.
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In an emotional post on X, Mbappe reflected on Deschamps’ lasting impact on both the national team and his own international career.
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“You who gave us so much. We should have offered you a better ending, but we failed.
“Putting words to what you brought over 14 years is very difficult, so major an actor were you in the revival of this team. People haven’t always known how to appreciate your greatness, but time and history will take care of that… Thank you for giving me the chance and opportunity to represent my country on the biggest stage for so many years.
“I feel privileged to have been able to stand alongside one of the greatest legends of our country, and I hold only excellent memories of everything we lived through and accomplished together.
“I wish you the best in your new adventure, and thank you again for everything you brought to this jersey that means so much to us.”
Aujourd’hui est ta dernière danse.
Toi qui nous as tant donné.
Nous aurions dû t’offrir une meilleure fin, mais nous avons échoué.
Mettre des mots sur ce que tu as apporté pendant 14 ans est très difficile, tant tu as été un acteur majeur du renouveau de cette équipe. Les gens… pic.twitter.com/uGQIWqodgv— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) July 18, 2026
Appointed France manager in 2012, Deschamps rebuilt a team searching for stability and guided Les Bleus back to the summit of world football.
During his tenure, France lifted the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2021 UEFA Nations League, while also reaching the UEFA Euro 2016 final and the 2022 FIFA World Cup final. His side consistently remained among the world’s elite throughout his 14-year spell.
Already one of France’s greatest players after captaining the nation to the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000 titles, Deschamps further cemented his legendary status by leading the team to World Cup glory as head coach two decades later.
Beyond the trophies, he played a pivotal role in developing a new generation of French stars, fostering a strong team culture, and rebuilding the bond between Les Bleus and their supporters—leaving behind a legacy that will shape French football for years to come.
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