Kylian Mbappe opens up on pressure and constant criticism

Kylian Mbappe has faced scrutiny throughout his career, even while producing numbers that prove he is far from an ordinary player.

Now, as he prepares to lead France at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, he has spoken candidly about what that pressure feels like.

“There is nothing better than representing your country. You become part of the elite of international footballers,” he said in a recent interview. At the same time, he admits the expectations can be overwhelming. “It’s difficult to be in a situation like ours, where everyone expects us to perform miracles. But miracles only happen on the pitch; you don’t need to play the match before the match,” he added.

Mbappe reflected on how fame has shaped his life and personality. “It’s hard, because you feel like you no longer belong to yourself, but to everyone,” the forward explained. Yet he accepts this is the life he chose. “Maybe not to this extent, but we chose it anyway. We committed to it. And it’s hard to focus on the negative when millions and millions and millions of people show their gratitude, appreciation and love.”

He admits he did not always handle that spotlight well. “I became famous very young,” he said, noting he once lacked the maturity and empathy to understand that some fans may only see him once in their lives. “So now I try to be a bit more understanding, even if people sometimes go too far,” he concluded.