Kylian Mbappe took himself to another height at the age of 19 by winning the 2018 World Cup. History is now in front of the French star. A second consecutive World Cup title for France will cement Mbappe’s place on the list of the greatest. In a recent interview, Mbappe said that he is preparing himself with an eye on the World Cup. Will try to bring the country the second title in a row. He also said why he wanted to say goodbye to the national team. Here is the excerpt from Mbappe’s interview:
About winning the World Cup again
My mindset since childhood is that I always want to do more, and improve my capabilities. For me (Mbappe), I won the World Cup and that’s not the end of it. That’s the first episode of something exciting. Winning the World Cup twice in a row is very difficult. But if I want to write history, I have to do something that no one has done. So we will try. I think our team is pretty good. Together we are great. So is the coach. And the people of the country are with us.
Confronting racism
Mbappe said I can’t play for people who think I’m a monkey. I will not play in the national team. But then I think of those who play with me and wish me well. I think the message of giving up is not good. Because, I think, I am an example for everyone. This is the new France…so I can’t leave the national team. Here is also a message for the new generation saying, we are stronger than this (racism).
About the life that changed after winning the 2018 World Cup
It (winning the World Cup) changed my life. After the World Cup, everything is different. Because the whole world was watching. And when you do something good, then everything seems crazy. I was famous before the World Cup, but not like this. Headache. It took me a while to calm down afterward.
Returning to Madrid to stay at PSG
Emmanuel Machon called me and said, ‘I know you want to go, but I want to tell you, you are also important to France. I don’t want you to leave. Here is your chance to write history. Everybody loves you.’ I support that. Because it’s a great thing. The president called me and he wants me to stay. I’m not afraid. I am ready
What were your thoughts at that time?
It was easy for me to go to Real Madrid. But I’m (Mbappe) French. I am a child of Paris and want to win here. It’s something really special. It will write my name forever in the history of the country. I am here for success. It was a big message for us. Because the announcement of my departure changed a lot of people’s mentality. People then started saying, ‘We don’t need to go out, we don’t need to leave our country.’
