“Might Awaken Demons”: Kylian Mbappé admits to playing a match he will never see again

France captain Kylian Mbappé has candidly admitted he has never rewatched his country’s heartbreaking 2022 World Cup final defeat to Argentina. Despite scoring a historic hat-trick in Qatar’s showpiece event, the Real Madrid superstar admitted that revisiting the painful memory could reopen old psychological wounds. Blues’ talisman haunted by Qatar The French skipper spoke of the lasting emotional toll of the showpiece event in Doha, where his team ultimately lost 4-2 on penalties after a chaotic 3-3 draw. At just 23 years old, the striker became the youngest player to play in two separate finals and the only one to finish on the losing side despite scoring three goals. His extraordinary performance earned him the tournament’s Golden Boot, but the ultimate collective disappointment continues to overshadow those individual records. Skipper reflects on historic drama Speaking in an emotional interview conducted just a week before the 2026 tournament, the prolific striker explained his reluctance to revisit the cinematic encounter. Reflecting on the match, Mbappé revealed in an interview with Sorare: “The greatest final of all time? I think nothing equals it in terms of entertainment, in terms of confrontation, in terms of match scenario, with so many twists and turns. It ended in a penalty shootout, the most brutal way for anyone. “It was either Lionel Messi’s first World Cup win or a back-to-back win for France, so it was historic whatever it was. arrives. (…) Have I seen the match since? Never! I think if I do it might awaken some demons.” Unprecedented individual exploits end in heartbreak. The striker’s sensational performance at Lusail broke several records, including a breathtaking 95-second double that single-handedly saved Didier Deschamps’ side from a two-goal deficit. His 81st-minute equalizer reached a staggering 123.34 km/h, officially registering as the hardest-hit shot in the entire 2022 tournament. Converting his second penalty during extra time, he equaled Geoff Hurst’s iconic 1966 feat and became the highest scorer in World Cup final history with five career goals African test evokes painful memories Boasting an incredible international record of 56 goals in 97 caps, the dynamic striker now prepares to lead his nation. in a Group I campaign in North America. Les Bleus will kick off their tournament itinerary against Senegal at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday June 16 against subsequent group matches against Iraq and Norway. The opening clash automatically evokes dark historical parallels with the 2002 tournament, where a reigning France team suffered a shocking 1-0 defeat to the West African nation.