Kylian Mbappe has faced criticism for his defensive efforts since joining Real Madrid, acknowledging he may not defend as much as others but believes his contributions are significant. He also revealed that he experienced racist abuse after missing a penalty at Euro 2021, which nearly led him to quit the French national team. Reflecting on his journey, he noted the harsh transition from being a national hero after the 2018 World Cup to facing such vitriol. Mbappe emphasized the emotional toll of prioritizing the team while receiving hateful comments from fans.

