Kylian Mbappe Declines Rematch Against Lionel Messi’s Argentina

Nearly three years have passed since Argentina faced France in what many view as the greatest World Cup final ever. On December 18, 2022, in Lusail, they played a thrilling match that ended 3-3 after 120 minutes. Kylian Mbappe made history with a hat trick for France, but Lionel Messi’s Argentina claimed the trophy after winning in a penalty shootout.

For Messi, it was the highlight of his international career and Argentina’s first World Cup title in 36 years. For Mbappe, it was a tough loss as it denied him a second straight World Cup victory after his win in 2018.

Since then, tensions and a rivalry have developed between the two teams. A report from L’Équipe revealed that the French Football Federation (FFF) considered organizing a rematch with Argentina in March 2024, likely in a location outside Europe, which would require a long travel.

When federation officials spoke to Mbappe, the French captain expressed his concerns. Sources told L’Équipe that the 26-year-old questioned FFF president Philippe Diallo multiple times about the plan and made it clear that he did not think it was a good idea.

Mbappe’s main issue was the timing and logistics of the proposed match. He raised concerns about the challenges of arranging a high-profile friendly with a 10-hour flight from Paris at that time of year. Consequently, the FFF decided against the idea, with Mbappe influencing the outcome.

Mbappe’s record against Argentina

Mbappe has only played against Argentina in the World Cup, with both encounters leaving a mark. The first was at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where France faced Argentina in the Round of 16. Mbappe stood out by scoring twice in a 4-3 win, eliminating Messi’s team and highlighting him as a future star.

The second matchup was the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, regarded as one of the best matches in the tournament’s history. Mbappe had a stunning performance, becoming only the second player ever to score a hat trick in a World Cup final, following Geoff Hurst of England. Despite his achievements, France lost to Argentina in the penalty shootout after a 3-3 tie.

Gianni Taina is a bilingual journalist, fluent in English and Spanish, with a specialization in soccer, the NBA, and tennis. He began his professional career in 2020 with Mundo Deportivo US, where he first established himself as a writer. Throughout his career, Gianni has covered major sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tournaments like the French Open. His ability to report on real-time events and perform well under pressure has made him a valuable member of a top-tier team of journalists. In 2024, he joined Bolavip US, where he now covers a wide range of sports, including European soccer, MLS, and the NBA.