Mbappé reveals Euro 2021 was worst atmosphere moment of his France career

Kylian Mbappé has lifted the veil on the unease that prevailed within the France squad during Euro 2021, describing this period as “the worst moment” he has experienced in the national team in terms of atmosphere. The France captain spoke in a lengthy interview with Le Parisien, on the sidelines of France’s entry into the 2026 World Cup against Senegal.

When asked about moments in his career he would like to relive to change the outcome, the Real Madrid striker cited several notable defeats — the Champions League final lost with PSG against Bayern Munich, the semi-final against Dortmund, and the 2022 World Cup final against Argentina. But the round-of-16 elimination at Euro 2021 against Switzerland did not make this list.

“Switzerland at the Euro? No, I wouldn’t change that. I wouldn’t waste my jokers on a round of 16. We had so much road ahead of us. And anyway, given how the atmosphere was, I think we wouldn’t have won,” he said.

Mbappé was then more explicit about the team’s state of mind at that time: “It’s the worst moment I’ve experienced with the France team in terms of atmosphere. You could feel it in the group. We talk about it often between players. It may not have been visible, but it’s the moment when the France team was the least united since I’ve been in the squad.” He nevertheless highlighted the paradox: according to him, this squad was among the most talented France had fielded in a long time.

This Euro 2021 had been marked by the return of Karim Benzema to the national team after nearly six years of absence, an event that had then raised many questions about the internal cohesion of the French squad.