Kylian Mbappe: Life in Madrid has brought me freedom

Kylian Mbappe has opened up about the significant changes in his daily routine since joining Real Madrid. The French star, who previously lived under intense media scrutiny in his home country, revealed that life as a 'Galactico' has unexpectedly brought him the peace he was craving off the pitch.

Speaking to Le Parisien, the forward explained that he now experiences a level of freedom in Spain that was previously impossible in France. He can now walk the streets without constant security and live a life that he describes as 'more normal' than people might expect.

Despite his newfound contentment in Madrid, Mbappe admitted that the heartbreak of the 2022 World Cup final against Argentina remains a painful memory. He dismissed the idea that penalty shootouts are pure luck, describing them as a technical skill, but confessed that the mental scars from that defeat are still fresh.

Looking forward, Mbappe is channeling those past experiences into motivation for the upcoming 2026 World Cup campaign. As France prepares to face Senegal in their opening match, the forward is focused on guiding his nation to glory and moving past the disappointment of four years ago.