FIFA World Cup
Inside Kylian Mbappé and Ester Expósito's rare World Cup final watch party
Kylian Mbappé still walked away with plenty to celebrate—both on and off the pitch… Show More
Kylian Mbappé still walked away with plenty to celebrate—both on and off the pitch
Kylian Mbappé may not have lifted the World Cup trophy, but the French star was far from leaving the tournament empty-handed.
The striker finished the competition as the World Cup's all-time leading scorer, moving ahead of Lionel Messi with 22 goals. He also leads the race for the Golden Boot after scoring 10 times during the tournament.
A different way to experience the final
That was not all. After the disappointment of finishing fourth at the World Cup, when many expected France to reach the final, Mbappé was able to enjoy the championship match in a completely different way. This time, there was no pressure, only the company of someone very close to Spain—actress Ester Expósito.
One trend has become impossible to ignore: whenever football gets a little bumpy for Mbappé, he seems to find comfort in Ester Expósito. While neither of them has publicly confirmed their relationship, it has become increasingly clear that they are no longer trying to stay out of the spotlight.
After France lost to Spain, things also became difficult for the Spanish actress. Thousands of people turned her into the face of France's defeat, shifting attention away from football and placing blame on her instead. What should have remained a discussion about the match became another example of how a woman's presence can be unfairly linked to a man's performance. Perhaps in an effort to calm the conversation, the pair now appear to be much less discreet in public.
No longer hiding from the spotlight
Mbappé may also be trying to show that the relationship is serious. During the World Cup final, he stood by his girlfriend as she supported her home nation, just as she had supported him during France's third-place match. A video quickly went viral after the two were spotted on a boat watching the final in a relaxed setting alongside friends.
Just a few days earlier, the couple had also been seen at a club in Miami enjoying each other's company without worrying about being photographed or recorded. The goal now appears to be spending time together without trying to go unnoticed, unlike the approach they seemed to take before the World Cup began.
In several interviews, Expósito had consistently avoided discussing the French forward, offering no details about their relationship. They also tended to leave restaurants, cafés, and other places separately. Now, it is evident they are no longer interested in hiding, possibly hoping to quiet the speculation surrounding them by giving the public what it wants and allowing the criticism to fade.
The conversation keeps growing
That has not stopped the comments from multiplying. Questions about their relationship continue, especially after Mbappé's quiet performance in France's World Cup semifinal against Spain. What should have remained a football discussion instead became another example of how a woman can be blamed for a man's display on the pitch, with the conversation shifting away from the game itself and focusing almost entirely on whether a relationship can affect a player's performance.
