Deschamps moved by Mbappé's goal dedication amid personal loss

Didier Deschamps, the coach of the French national team, revealed that he was deeply touched when Kylian Mbappé dedicated one of his goals to him during a recent match. The gesture occurred as Deschamps was grieving the recent loss of his mother.

"Personally, it moved me. Mbappé has been exemplary since day one," Deschamps stated at a press conference following France's decisive 3-0 victory over Sweden in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. The Real Madrid forward scored the opening goal just before halftime, and in his celebration, he immediately embraced Deschamps.

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Personally, it moved me. Mbappé has been exemplary since day one.

Deschamps, who had briefly left the team's training camp due to his mother's passing, confirmed he is fully focused on the team despite the personal tragedy. He highlighted the "collective spirit" of the squad as a key factor in their success. "Kylian as captain is the brightest example," he added, emphasizing the striker's leadership.

The coach also praised the team's overall performance, noting that their strong collective spirit is what enables them to win matches. France's dominant win secured their place in the next round, where they are set to face Paraguay.

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Kylian as captain is the brightest example.