.jpg)
The **2022 World Cup final** wasn't just a game; for **Kylian Mbappé**, it was an emotional scar, a raw wound that still hasn't healed. Despite delivering one of the most spectacular individual performances in football history, the **France** captain candidly admits he cannot bring himself to rewatch the dramatic clash against **Argentina**.
Key Points:
- **Kylian Mbappé** explicitly states he has *never* rewatched the **2022 World Cup final**.
- He scored a hat-trick and won the **Golden Boot**, yet the collective loss overshadows individual glory.
- The **France** vs **Argentina** final is widely considered the greatest of all time for its relentless drama.
- **Mbappé** will lead **Les Bleus** into 2026 World Cup qualifiers, with an opening match against **Senegal** evoking memories of 2002.
The Weight of Doha: Mbappé's Lingering Anguish
At just **23 years old**, **Mbappé** carried the hopes of a nation on his shoulders during the unforgettable showpiece in **Qatar**. His side ultimately fell **4-2 on penalties** after a chaotic **3-3 draw**, a result that clearly continues to haunt him.
Speaking just weeks before the **2026 World Cup** qualifiers begin, the prolific forward revealed his profound reluctance to revisit the cinematic encounter. "I think if I do, it might awaken some demons," he confessed in an interview with *Sorare*.
An Unforgettable Showdown: Reliving the Epic Final's Echoes
**Mbappé** himself acknowledges the monumental scale of the match. "The greatest final of all time? I think nothing matches it in terms of entertainment, the clash, the match scenario, with so many twists and turns," he reflected. The stakes were incredibly high: **Lionel Messi's** first World Cup win or a historic back-to-back for **France**.
This epic clash, culminating in the "most brutal way" with penalties, represents a personal Everest that **Mbappé** has chosen not to re-climb through replays. The emotional cost of that day remains too high, even for one of the sport's most formidable competitors.
Records Broken, Dreams Shattered
His sensational display at Lusail Stadium saw **Mbappé** shatter multiple records. He became the youngest player to feature in two separate finals and the only one to finish on the losing side despite netting an astonishing **three goals**.
His breathtaking **95-second brace** single-handedly dragged **Didier Deschamps's** side back from a **two-goal deficit**. The equalising volley in the **81st minute** was registered at a staggering **123.34 km/h**, marking it as the hardest-struck shot of the entire **2022 tournament**.
By converting his second penalty during extra time, he not only matched **Geoff Hurst's** iconic **1966 feat** but also became the highest scorer in World Cup final history with **five career goals**. These unprecedented individual exploits, however, were ultimately overshadowed by the collective heartbreak.
New Horizons, Old Ghosts: France's Path to 2026
With an incredible international record of **56 goals in 97 caps**, the dynamic attacker is now poised to lead his nation into their **Group I** campaign for **North America 2026**. **Les Bleus** will kick off their tournament itinerary against **Senegal** at the **MetLife Stadium**.
This opening clash on Tuesday, June 16, carries a poignant historical weight, evoking dark parallels to the **2002 tournament**. In that infamous event, a defending **French team** suffered a shocking **1-0 defeat** at the hands of the West African nation, a ghost that **Mbappé** and his teammates will be keen to exorcise.
