‘People haven’t always appreciated your greatness, time and history will see to that’ – Kylian Mbappé pays tribute to departing France manager Didier Deschamps | OneFootball

France captain Kylian Mbappé (27) has written a heartfelt tribute to departing Les Bleus manager Didier Deschamps on X. Deschamps oversees his final game as France’s national team manager tonight against England in the 2026 World Cup Bronze final against Thomas Tuchel’s England. It will be the 185th game of his 14-year tenure as France boss.

Sure enough, both Mbappé and Deschamps would have preferred to play Sunday’s final, but Spain confidently beat France in the semi-finals. “We should have given you a better send-off, but we failed to do so”, Mbappé writes. The Real Madrid centre-forward adds how difficult it is to put into words what Deschamps has contributed over the past 14 years as the key figure of the national team’s revival. “People haven’t always appreciated your greatness, but time and history will see to that.“

On a more personal note, Mbappé thanks Deschamps for giving him the chance and opportunity to represent France on the biggest stage for so many years. Mbappé, who scored all his 64 France goals under Deschamps’ tenure, says he feels privileged to have been able to stand alongside one of France’s greatest legends. “I have nothing but fond memories of everything we’ve experienced and achieved together.”

Mbappé ends his tribute in wishing Deschamps the best for what comes next, and reiterates how thankful he is “for everything you’ve brought to this shirt that means so much to us.“

GFFN | Bastien Cheval