Mbappe names three stadiums where the atmosphere moved him most

France forward Kylian Mbappe has identified the three stadiums that delivered the most electric atmospheres during his career so far.

The 27-year-old, the all-time leading scorer at World Cup finals, named Newcastle United’s St James’ Park, Russia’s Yekaterinburg Arena and Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu as the grounds that left the deepest impression on him.

Mbappe’s comments came during a discussion with YouTuber Fiago, where he reflected on the intensity of playing in front of packed crowds in major competitions. His ranking highlights how stadium atmosphere can shape a player’s memories of key matches.

St James’ Park featured prominently after Mbappe experienced a Champions League night in England that he described as unforgettable. Newcastle United’s 4-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the competition left a mark on the forward, who recalled the volume inside the 52,000-seater stadium.

He said: “Newcastle. When we went with Paris. I think it was the first time they came back to the Champions League in 20 years. It was insane.”

Yekaterinburg Arena earned its place on the list after Mbappe scored the winning goal when France met Peru at the 2018 World Cup. The forward acknowledged the Peruvian supporters inside the stadium, saying he felt as though the game was being played in Peru.

He added: “Group stage of the World Cup in Russia. It was against Peru. I had the feeling that we played in Peru.”

Mbappe’s current club ground, Santiago Bernabéu, completed his top three. The forward described the stadium as a spectacle on European nights, praising its capacity to hold up to 83,000 fans.

He said: “Real Madrid. Always. When it’s a great night, it’s something amazing.”

The selection omits other iconic venues where Mbappe has played, including Anfield and Camp Nou, as well as the stadiums that hosted World Cup finals he featured in.

The ranking underscores how stadium atmosphere can elevate a player’s experience, even in high-pressure environments like the Champions League and the World Cup.