In a candid and revealing interview, Real Madrid and France superstar Kylian Mbappé has openly expressed his profound disillusionment with the contemporary landscape of professional football, admitting that only his deep-seated passion for the sport prevents him from succumbing to outright “disgust.”
Mbappé, widely considered one of the most electrifying talents of his generation, has been a global icon since his teenage breakthrough at AS Monaco. Yet, despite his immense success and undeniable talent, the 26-year-old forward reveals a growing weariness with the darker side of the beautiful game.

The Unseen Side of the Beautiful Game
Speaking to French sports daily L’Équipe, Mbappé offered a stark contrast between life and football. “I’m fatalistic about what the world of soccer is, but not about what life is,” he stated. “Life is magnificent. Soccer is what it is. I like to say that people who go to the stadium are lucky enough to ‘just’ come to see a show and not know what goes on behind the scenes. Honestly, if I didn’t have this passion, the world of soccer would have disgusted me a long time ago.”
This sentiment from a player at the pinnacle of his career, fresh off a season where he netted an astounding 44 goals for Real Madrid, offers a rare glimpse into the pressures and complexities faced by modern athletes. His remarks resonate with a growing conversation about player welfare and the intense scrutiny that accompanies global stardom.

A Father’s Plea: “Never Advise My Child to Dabble”
Perhaps the most startling revelation came when Mbappé was asked about the prospect of his own children disliking football. “I hope so,” he quipped with a laugh, before adding, “But I think, unfortunately, a ball will never be far away… In any case, I would never advise my child to dabble in the world of soccer.”
This powerful statement underscores the profound challenges and potential pitfalls that Mbappé perceives within the sport, suggesting a desire to shield future generations from the very environment that has brought him global fame and fortune.
The Burden of Fame: “More Money, More Problems”
Echoing the famous words of The Notorious B.I.G., Mbappé articulated the heavy burden that accompanies immense wealth and celebrity. “The more money you have, the more problems you have,” he observed. “Some people don’t see that your life is changing; they want to keep the image of you as a child, when you were with them… But you’re not the same anymore. You have responsibilities, commitments, a job, and accountability.”

This insight highlights the struggle many high-profile athletes face in navigating evolving relationships and the expectations of those from their past, a common theme in the lives of those thrust into the global spotlight.
The Thin Line Between Caution and Paranoia
One of the most significant challenges Mbappé faces is discerning genuine intentions from opportunistic motives. He described his family and long-time friends as his “refuge,” a vital support system that predates his global fame. Assessing new acquaintances, however, proves far more difficult.

“Just now, I said that we shouldn’t fall into paranoia… But you’re still a little paranoid,” Mbappé confessed. “Why is he telling me that? What does he want from me? What does he expect from me? There are a lot of ‘whys.’ The line between being careful and being paranoid is very thin. You can come across as crazy.”
He continued, offering a poignant explanation for why some players are unfairly labeled as “crazy”: “How many times have I heard people talk about a player and say, ‘He’s crazy!’ No, he’s paranoid because there are only crazy people around him. Maybe he met a nice person, but he’s just had 20 encounters with crazy people, so he doubts, and that’s normal.”

Mbappé’s candid remarks offer a powerful, unfiltered perspective from one of football’s most prominent figures. His “disgust” with the sport’s modern state serves as a critical reflection on the immense pressures, the erosion of trust, and the personal sacrifices demanded of those who reach the pinnacle of the global game. For more insights into the world of football, including the latest soccer news, transfer rumors, and match reactions, stay tuned to our coverage.