Mbappe hails Yamal’s Spain as world’s best after World Cup win

France’s talisman Kylian Mbappe has declared Lamine Yamal’s Spain the ‘best team in the world’ following their 2026 World Cup triumph, placing the Iberian side above his own Les Bleus. The statement comes as Mbappe cements his status as France’s on‑field and off‑field leader.

Mbappe’s legacy and France’s World Cup run

Since Mbappe’s global emergence at the 2018 World Cup, Les Bleus have hoisted the trophy that summer, reached the final in 2022 and advanced to the semifinals in 2026. Throughout those three cycles he has established himself as France’s leader both on and off the pitch, guiding the side deep into each tournament.

Semifinal loss exposes tactical limits

In an interview with Diario AS director Jose Felix Diaz, Mbappe reflected on the 2‑0 semifinal defeat to Yamal’s squad: “They won, and in football, when you win, you’re right. I think we failed with our initial game plan, and afterwards, against a team that likes to keep the ball and hold possession, being a goal down is always harder. It wasn’t a good day, and in the World Cup it’s not like in the Champions League—there is no home and away leg. We didn’t play the match we needed to play, simple as that, and I think it was a missed opportunity for us, but we are going to work to have other opportunities.”

France entered the match averaging nearly three goals per game across six fixtures, yet Spain’s dominant possession held the French attack scoreless for the first time in the tournament. Les Bleus managed only three shots on target and forced no save from goalkeeper Unai Simon.

Spain’s control throughout the tournament

Spain displayed total control, conceding just once in a 2‑1 quarter‑final victory over Belgium before beating Argentina in the final. Lamine Yamal and La Roja therefore emerged as the world champions, a status they aim to reaffirm in the upcoming UEFA Nations League group stage.

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When asked whether France still dominate global football, Mbappe answered plainly: “I always say that the one who dominates is the one who wins, and right now the team that dominates is Spain, because they won and we have to accept it. We have quality, a team, players, but you have to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and the team that won is Spain, who is the best team in the world. Right now, Spain is the best.”

Mbappe has also used the platform to argue for the upcoming Ballon d’Or, insisting no player has compiled a stronger individual résumé over the past year. He praised the Golden Boot race, noting that the French captain ultimately secured the scoring title with ten goals, edging Lionel Messi’s eight.

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Reflecting on the tournament’s legacy, Mbappe said: “A lot of players stepped up. It’s a good thing because, in the end, the World Cup is the most important competition in the sport. The competition that the entire world watches and is going to remember. When you see this, when you see the best players in the world stepping up and making history, it’s something that people are going to remember for years.”