🚨 Dayot Upamecano finally explains the viral captain's armband moment with Kylian Mbappé against Morroco 🇫🇷
🗣️People can interpret it however they want, but inside our dressing room it's very simple. Kylian is our captain, Aurélien Tchouaméni is our vice-captain, but he wasn't on the pitch at that moment. So before Kylian came off, I asked him who he wanted the armband to go to. That's his responsibility as captain, Moments like these aren't built overnight. They are earned.
🗣️It wasn't about needing permission. It was about respecting the hierarchy of the team. Every captain deserves that respect, and Kylian has earned it through his leadership, commitment, and what he means to this group.
🗣️Mbappé has spent years leading by example working relentlessly, taking responsibility, and, before becoming captain himself, showing the same respect to the leaders who came before him.
🗣️The video might look funny to people on social media, but for us it was completely normal. That's how a united dressing room works.
🚨Kylian Mbappé share message Cristiano Ronaldo sent him after France booked their place in the World Cup Semi-finals.
🗣️The first message I received after the match was from Cristiano Ronaldo.
He wrote: 'Congratulations, Kylian. Missing a penalty and still finding the strength to score is what champions do. The greatest players are not remembered because they never failed they're remembered because they always responded. Keep believing. France needs your leadership. Good luck for the rest of the tournament.'
🗣️Receiving that message meant more to me than people can imagine. Growing up, Cristiano Ronaldo wasn't just my favourite player he was my idol. To me, he was like a god. I spent countless hours watching his matches, studying every movement, every goal, every celebration and every sacrifice he made to become the greatest.
🗣️A huge part of the footballer I am today comes from everything I learned by watching Cristiano. His mentality taught me that talent alone is never enough hard work, discipline and resilience are what create legends.
🗣️To receive words of encouragement from the man who inspired my dream is something I'll carry with me forever.
Thierry Henry on Kylian Mbappé embracing Didier Deschamps after scoring against Sweden following the recent passing of Deschamps' mother:
🗣️ “That goal was special, but what happened after it was even more powerful. Mbappé didn't run to the cameras or celebrate for himself he ran straight to Didier Deschamps. In moments like these, football becomes so much bigger than the result.”
“When you've lost someone you love, no trophy or victory takes that pain away. Sometimes all you need is someone to remind you that you're not carrying that pain alone. That hug said more than a thousand words ever could.”
“People admire Mbappé for his pace, his goals and his talent. Tonight, they should admire his heart. He understood exactly what his manager was going through and chose compassion over celebration. That is pure class.”
“Years from now, people may forget who scored first or what the final score was. But they'll remember that embrace between a player and his manager a beautiful reminder that even on the biggest stage in football, humanity will always matter most.