We should have given you a better ending, but we failed: Mbappe’s tribute to Deschamps
Just hours before France face England in a play-off for third place at the 2026 World Cup, captain Kylian Mbappe has paid an emotional tribute to outgoing head coach Didier Deschamps, admitting the team failed to give one of the country’s best managers the send-off he deserved.
Deschamps, who announced before the tournament that he did retire after the World Cup, will supervise France last against England after Les Bleus’ semi-final defeat to Spain ended their hopes of winning a second world title under his leadership.
Ahead of the match, Mbappe took to social media to offer heartfelt thanks to the coach who oversaw one of the most successful eras in French football history.
“Today is your last dance,” Mbappe wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).
“We should have offered you a better ending, but we failed. Kylian Mbappe has sent a heartfelt message to Didier Deschamps ahead of the 3rd place match against England. (Image: Reuters)
“TIME WILL JUDGE”
The France captain reflected on Deschamps’ remarkable 14-year spell in charge, saying the manager’s contribution to the national team went far beyond the trophies he brought.
“It is very difficult to put into words what you have brought in 14 years, so you have been the main actor in the renewal of this team,” wrote Mbappe.
“People have not always known how to appreciate your greatness, but time and history will take care of that.”
Deschamps took over France in 2012 and transformed Les Bleus into one of the dominant forces in international football. He led the team to 2018 FIFA World Cup title in Russiathe UEFA Nations League crown in 2021 and also reached the finals of Euro 2016, the 2022 World Cup and the 2026 World Cup.
Having already won the World Cup in 1998, Deschamps also became only the third man to win football’s biggest prize as both a player and a coach, cementing his place among the sport’s most revered figures.
END OF AN ERA
Mbappe also thanked Deschamps for the trust he placed in him during his international career, saying it was a privilege to represent France under one of the country’s biggest football figures.
“Thank you for giving me the chance and opportunity to represent my country on the biggest stage for so many years,” Mbappe wrote.
“I feel honored to have been able to stand alongside one of our country’s greatest legends and have nothing but great memories of all we have been through and accomplished together.”
The Real Madrid striker concluded by wishing Deschamps success in everything to come.
“I wish you the best in your new adventure and thank you again for all you have brought to this jersey that means so much to us.”
France will now look to make Deschamps’ final game a winner when they face England in the play-off for third place. Regardless of the result, the game will bring down the curtain on a 14-year reign that returned France to the summit of world football and established Deschamps as one of the nation’s greatest ever managers, with Zinedine Zidane widely expected to succeed him.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
19 Jul 2026 0:32 IST