Kylian Mbappe explains how his life has changed since joining Real Madrid: ‘I can live more freely’ | OneFootball

As France prepare to begin their World Cup campaign against Senegal, Kylian Mbappe has offered a rare glimpse into his life away from the pitch, discussing everything from his adaptation to Real Madrid to the painful memories that still linger from the 2022 World Cup final.

In an extensive appearance on Le Parisien ahead of his tournament debut, the Real Madrid superstar reflected on his first months in Spain, his relationship with fame and the challenges that come with being one of the most recognisable footballers on the planet. 

According to comments made during interviews with his France teammates and later with Le Parisien, Mbappe is enjoying a very different lifestyle in Madrid compared to the one he experienced in Paris.

Opening up on his life at Real Madrid

Since completing his long-awaited move to Real Madrid, much of the attention has focused on Mbappe’s performances on the pitch. 

However, the 27-year-old revealed that one of the biggest changes has actually come away from football.

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Discussing his day-to-day life in the Spanish capital, Mbappe explained that he has been able to enjoy a level of freedom that was difficult to find during his years in France.

“I’m prepared to be famous; I have to deal with that.”

The Real Madrid forward then highlighted how life in Madrid has allowed him to enjoy ordinary experiences once again.

“I’m very happy in Madrid; I can live more freely than in France. I can go out on the street without security. 

“I can live my life and make plans that I didn’t make before. It’s good. I do very normal things, more than people think.”

The 2022 World Cup heartbreak

While much of the interview focused on the present, one topic inevitably brought Mbappe back to the most painful moment of his international career.

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The Real Madrid star was asked about France’s dramatic defeat to Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final, a match in which he produced one of the greatest individual performances ever seen in a final but still ended up on the losing side.

Reflecting on that experience, Mbappe admitted the memories remain difficult to process.

“It’s very difficult to lose a World Cup final. It’s a competition that takes place every four years. Many of the players from that match are no longer in this World Cup. 

“That’s the cruelty of it – to think we went through all that only to lose on penalties. I don’t believe in luck; penalties aren’t a lottery. 

“It’s a technical skill, but it remains the cruellest way to lose a World Cup final,” he concluded.