Dj Vnyash
“My ambition was to become the champion of Europe, but it ended in disappointment.”
That’s how Kylian Mbappe summarized his feelings after Euro 2024, where he led France as captain but fell short in the semi-finals against Spain in Munich. Mbappe, who completed a long-awaited move to Real Madrid ahead of the tournament, had been expected to shine after his stellar performances in previous major tournaments.
At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Mbappe dazzled as a teenager, scoring crucial goals to help France secure their first title in two decades. His standout moment came with a hat-trick in the final, reminiscent of England’s Sir Geoff Hurst. However, his form dipped at Euro 2020, where he failed to score and missed a critical penalty in the knockout stage against Switzerland.
Heading into Euro 2024 as a focal point for France, Mbappe struggled to replicate his World Cup heroics. He managed just one goal, a penalty against Poland, and created few scoring opportunities for his team. Despite contributing a brilliant assist in the tournament, pundits and analysts felt Mbappe’s overall impact was below expectations.
Analysts noted that Mbappe’s performance metrics vary significantly between World Cups and Euros. While he averages over a goal or assist per 90 minutes in World Cup matches, his productivity drops noticeably in European Championships.
One of the defining moments of Mbappe’s Euro 2024 campaign was a missed opportunity in the semi-final against Spain, where he failed to convert a promising chance late in the game. Critics pointed to this as a symbol of France’s overall struggle to generate attacking momentum when it mattered most.
Mbappe’s tournament was also marred by a broken nose suffered early on, which affected his play and required him to wear a protective mask for several matches. Despite these challenges, both Mbappe and his coach Didier Deschamps acknowledged that his injury was only one factor among many that influenced France’s performance.
Looking ahead, Mbappe aims to pursue further success at Real Madrid, where he joins a star-studded lineup under manager Carlo Ancelotti. After a period of rest and reflection, Mbappe plans to return stronger for the challenges ahead.
