Kylian Mbappé does not hide his sadness over Italy’s absence from the 2026 World Cup, confessing a deep affection for the transalpine country and its people, as he prepares for a tournament that could propel his career to historic heights. The Real Madrid forward, who is leading the French national team as captain for the first time in a World Cup finals, revealed in exclusive statements to the Italian press, through TMW, his special connection to Italy, built over the years at Paris Saint-Germain alongside names like Gianluigi Donnarumma, Marco Verratti, and Gianluigi Buffon.
“I have a huge fondness for Italy,” Mbappé stated. “I played with great Italian players, I have many friends there, and whenever I can, I go on vacation to your country. I feel wonderful there; the people are incredibly kind to me. It’s a real shame because Italy is a great footballing power.” These emotionally charged words highlight not only the French star’s admiration for Italian culture but also the shock at the fact that such a historically significant nation in world football will be absent from the upcoming World Cup.
With the new expanded format for 48 teams, which opens doors to less traditional countries, Mbappé acknowledges the positive impact of this change but does not hide his disappointment over the absent giants. “It’s an incredible opportunity for many teams, but I have to say that I feel very sorry for Italy,” he confessed.
Beyond sentimentality, Mbappé arrives in North America with a fierce ambition: to dethrone Miroslav Klose as the all-time top scorer in World Cup history. The Frenchman has already scored 12 goals in finals, just four behind the record held by the legendary German forward, who also shone at Lazio. This World Cup could also be the occasion for Mbappé to surpass Olivier Giroud and become the all-time leading scorer for the French national team, as well as break the record for most goals in a single World Cup tournament, currently held by Just Fontaine.
The upcoming summer promises to be a decisive stage for Mbappé, who, amid emotions and ambitions, is about to write one of the most memorable chapters in football history. His special connection to Italy makes his quest for records even more dramatic, in a World Cup where the past and future of European football intersect in unexpected ways. Fans will not want to miss a moment of this epic race for the pinnacle of world football.
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