- Kylian Mbappé says passion is the only reason he still plays football.
- He admitted he would prefer his future son to dislike the sport.
- Cited mental strain and public pressure as reasons why football is overwhelming.
- Spoke about stigma around mental health in professional sports.
- Highlighted how athletes are judged differently depending on results.
Kylian Mbappé, captain of the French national team and forward for Real Madrid, has opened up about the struggles of life at the top level of football, admitting that his love for the game is the only thing keeping him in it.
Speaking to French outlet L’Équipe, Mbappé explained that the immense psychological demands of professional football have made him wary of seeing his own children follow the same path. He went as far as to say he would prefer his son to dislike the sport altogether, stressing that the combination of wealth and constant scrutiny often multiplies problems for players.
The 25-year-old also reflected on how difficult it is for elite athletes to speak openly about mental health. He noted that society often dismisses their struggles because of their high salaries and fame, making it harder for players to show vulnerability without criticism. Mbappé emphasized that timing plays a key role, as the public reaction to such confessions depends heavily on whether a player is winning or losing at the time.
