“We should have offered you a better ending”: Mbappé’s tribute to Deschamps before France-England

Kylian Mbappé has penned a heartfelt tribute to Didier Deschamps, the departing coach of the French national football team, ahead of Deschamps' final match in charge. The message, posted on Mbappé's Instagram account, comes just hours before France faces England in the third-place playoff of the World Cup. Deschamps is concluding a 14-year tenure as the French coach, a period during which he led the team to numerous successes, including the 2018 World Cup title. Mbappé, who made his debut for the national team under Deschamps, acknowledged that Deschamps' contributions might not always have been fully appreciated by the public. "People haven't always known how to appreciate your greatness, but time and history will take care of that," Mbappé wrote. He expressed deep regret that the team could not offer Deschamps a more triumphant farewell. "Today is your last dance. You who have given us so much. We should have offered you a better ending, but we failed," the Real Madrid player stated. Mbappé thanked Deschamps for the chance to represent his country on the biggest stage and described himself as privileged to have played alongside "one of the greatest legends of our country." He concluded by wishing Deschamps the best in his future endeavors, reiterating his gratitude for everything Deschamps brought to the French team. The tribute highlights the significant impact Deschamps has had on French football and his relationship with key players like Mbappé.