Kylian Mbappé says only passion has kept him from being 'disgusted' by football amid fame and legal battles
Real Madrid and France captain tells L'Equipe he feels 'paranoia and vigilance' in relationships and has been affected by off-field disputes and investigations
Kylian Mbappé said he would have been "disgusted" by the world of football if not for his passion for the game, as the Real Madrid and France captain opened up about the strain of global fame, legal disputes and personal scrutiny.
Speaking to French newspaper L'Equipe, Mbappé described the difficulty of maintaining trust and normal relationships while under constant public attention, saying the combination of high-profile status and large financial rewards can be "problematic" and leaves him balancing "paranoia and vigilance." He added: "It's our environment and we can't change it. I'm fatalistic about what the world of football is, but not about what life is. Life is magnificent. Football is what it is." The forward is reported to earn about £12.8 million a season.
Mbappé, 26, who rose to global prominence after helping France win the 2018 World Cup as a teenager, joined Real Madrid on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024. He told L'Equipe that fans are "lucky" to see only the spectacle of matches and not what happens behind the scenes. "Honestly, if I didn't have this passion, the world of football would have disgusted me a long time ago," he said.
The forward is engaged in a reported €55 million dispute with PSG over unpaid wages and bonuses. PSG have said his contract was "legally amended" and maintain he did not meet commitments when he left the club. Mbappé has said his legal action is to recover what he believes he is owed and has suggested that his pursuit of the claim has led some to view him as "an ex who's angry." Earlier this summer he reportedly dropped a separate harassment case linked to how he was treated after announcing in 2023 that he would not sign a new deal with PSG.
Mbappé also addressed a separate episode in which his name was linked to an alleged rape in Sweden last year. He said he had never been contacted by police and his name was never mentioned in the investigation, and expressed sadness that public discussion appeared to ignore the potential victim once it became clear he was not involved.
On personal relationships, Mbappé said concern about others' motives is an unavoidable part of life in the public eye. "It comes down to the fine line between paranoia and vigilance. Some people want to harm you, but that's not everyone," he told L'Equipe. He reflected on the uncertainty that accompanies decisions about trust and marriage, saying, "Life is a gamble. They often say that success comes to the bold, so you have to try. What's hard in football can be facing the gaze of others."
On the field, Mbappé remains a central figure for club and country. He scored 44 goals in 59 appearances in his debut season with Real Madrid and has 52 goals in 92 matches for France. He is expected to play a leading role as Real Madrid seek to reclaim the LaLiga title and the UEFA Champions League, and will captain France at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Mbappé framed his remarks as an attempt to explain the emotional and practical constraints of life at the highest level of the sport: despite disillusionment with some aspects of football, his enduring love for the game is what keeps him engaged.