Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid forward and captain of the French national team, spoke at a press conference on the eve of the match against Ukraine, part of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, taking the opportunity to pay tribute to the victims of the November 13, 2015 Paris attacks—and to joke about the future of his national teammate Dayot Upamecano, currently at Bayern Munich.

“It will be a very special day. We’ll try to honor all those affected by that tragic event. We’ll give our best to bring a smile on such a symbolic day,” said the striker, who recalled living through that episode when he was 16 and playing for AS Monaco. “I was at home watching the game and felt scared. My parents were still in Bondy, and it was very hard. Ten years later, we still remember those who lost their lives.”

Praise and a Subtle Message for Upamecano

Beyond the emotional tone, Mbappé also delivered one of the day’s most talked-about quotes when he mentioned Dayot Upamecano, who has recently been linked with a potential move to Real Madrid. The French captain didn’t hide his admiration for the defender but added a line that sparked laughter and speculation:
“He’s at a great club… but there are better ones,” he said with a smile.

The Real Madrid forward went on to praise the Bayern Munich defender, calling him “one of the best in the world.”
“He’s in fantastic form, full of confidence and composure. He’s a dominant defender, capable of winning duels, playing out from the back, and adapting to any style. For me, he’s in the conversation among the best. But I won’t go into details out of respect for his club—I know anything I say makes headlines.”

Mbappé, a Mature Leader and Model of Growth

At just 26 years old, Mbappé is embracing a new stage as captain of France, and he acknowledged it: “When I first wore the armband, I was still a rookie. Now I have more experience and try to guide the team alongside the coaching staff. I’ve grown as a person and as a leader.”

The striker also spoke about his relentless ambition: “I’m always trying to improve. I hope the Kylian of 2026 will be better than the Kylian of 2025.”

The match against Ukraine, crucial for securing qualification for the World Cup, comes with Mbappé just two goals away from reaching 400 career goals, a milestone that cements his place among football’s greats.

Between tributes, jokes, and records, the French captain once again made it clear that his leadership goes beyond the pitch… and that at Real Madrid, he still dreams of surrounding himself with the best.