Kylian Mbappe graces the latest cover of Vanity Fair. The Real Madrid and France captain opened up in an exclusive interview during the recent international break, discussing his views on football, his societal role, handling fame, and the upcoming World Cup. Due to the length of the conversation, it will be released in three parts, with this being the first.
Hailed as the future king of football since his teenage years, Mbappe now finds himself in a more turbulent phase of life. As captain of the French national team, he balances scrutiny over his identity with his role as the country’s leading spokesperson. Despite scoring hat-tricks with regularity, he still faces criticism for his performances. Standing at the pinnacle of the sport, he also endures immense pressure. This summer’s World Cup will define everything.
Now 27, Mbappe sat in a hotel suite surrounded by agents, assistants, and burly security. He has become a symbol of French national identity, with a large team meticulously orchestrating his every move. Before the interview began, a publicist started a timer. Relaxed and composed, Mbappe offered statesmanlike thoughts on the upcoming tournament, one that could cement his status among football’s legends.
“There’s nothing more meaningful than representing your country,” he said. Mbappe was in the United States for a series of friendly matches with France. On this nominal day off, he wore a branded sweater, sweatpants, Dior sneakers, a diamond-encrusted bracelet, and a Hublot watch as he spoke with the journalist.
France is among the favorites for this summer’s World Cup, and Mbappe acknowledges the challenge. “It’s not easy being in our position, with everyone expecting us to work miracles,” he said. “But miracles happen only on the pitch. We don’t need to carry a heavy psychological burden before a single game.”
He remained calm and composed throughout. When the conversation turned to sensitive topics like racism in football and the current political climate in the United States, Mbappe stayed gentle and steady. Fluent in French, Spanish, and with strong English, he conducted the interview in his native French.
The interview ended promptly as scheduled. Staff quickly brought in piles of Real Madrid official jerseys for him to sign. He was then whisked to another suite for a photoshoot with renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz.
Afterward, he headed downstairs to record a short promotional video for Vanity Fair’s social media. The video required him to casually juggle a ball while answering light questions about his daily life. However, his Dior loafers’ large gold buckle obstructed the camera, preventing a full display of his world-famous footwork. Once finished, he hurried off to meet his France teammates for lunch.
Mbappe rose to global superstardom at a young age. But at this meeting, his platinum career was facing a critical test. Once expected to succeed Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the world’s best, he had achieved that status for a time. But by his own extremely high standards, the past few years have been increasingly complex.
It’s been eight years since his World Cup debut. At 19, he scored four goals in seven matches as a dynamic winger, helping France win the trophy for the second time in 20 years.
Four years later in Qatar, he delivered a god-like performance, leading France to the final against Lionel Messi’s Argentina. Widely regarded as one of the greatest finals in World Cup history, Mbappe was largely quiet for much of the match as Argentina built a two-goal lead. France seemed down and out.
“You can be a professional footballer, you can be an international superstar, but first, you are a citizen,” Mbappe said. “We are not separate from the real world, nor can we detach from what’s happening in our country.”
In the 80th minute, the turning point came. Mbappe scored a penalty, and 94 seconds later, an astonishing goal. He controlled a chip pass from Marcus Thuram, chested it down, and unleashed a soaring half-volley from 20 yards that flew past the Argentine goalkeeper into the far corner. Commentator Peter Drury exclaimed, “He’s an overwhelming natural force!” The journalist interviewing him recalls watching the final in a French bar in New York, where a cousin from Paris was moved to tears.
France ultimately lost on penalties, but Mbappe’s hat-trick in the final cemented his World Cup legend. “He stood on the biggest stage as a king, with a composure and quality to match all the praise—truly breathtaking,” Drury said. “The calm presence he showed was stunning.” In 2018, L’Equipe ran a team photo as its cover after France won; this time, the cover featured Mbappe alone with the headline “King Without a Crown.”
Four years later, he refuses to dwell on that regret. “People always have to move forward; you can’t go back,” Mbappe said. “We have to turn that disappointment into motivation, try to rewrite history, and push for another final. Reaching a final is already incredibly difficult, and we must strive to win the third star for France.”
Winning the World Cup and adding a star to the jersey requires more than skill. Even the favorites need luck. And as captain, expectations on Mbappe have peaked. “This time, he steps onto the pitch first with the captain’s armband,” said Julien Laurens, French football journalist and author of a new Mbappe biography. “The French people expect him to carry the entire team all the way, and that’s what he demands of himself.”
On the pitch, Mbappe combines power and grace. He runs with a slight forward lean, as if about to topple over if not for his explosive legs. He likes to drift outside the box, adjust the ball to his right foot, lift his head to spot the goal, and curl it over the keeper’s fingertips into the top corner. He also excels at running directly at defenders, breaking through lines with devastating pace, like a Ducati weaving through traffic.
“He has extraordinary physical attributes,” Drury said. “The physique is almost perfect, yet his style carries a balletic elegance. His footwork is delicate and fluid, and his runs and movements are full of intelligence and rhythm.”