Kylian Mbappe says the 2022 World Cup final still hurts so much that there is no chance of watching it back, despite believing the match stands alone in the tournament’s history as an all-time classic that decided between Lionel Messi’s first title and a French repeat.

The France captain scored three times in that dramatic showpiece in Qatar and then converted in the shoot-out, yet Argentina still edged the trophy on penalties after a 3-3 draw, denying Mbappe a second straight World Cup crown following the 2018 triumph in Russia.

Reflecting on that night, Mbappe places the contest at the very top of the list of finals. “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, Mbappe told Sorare.” The Paris-born forward still struggles with the outcome.

Mbappe underlines how cruel the finale felt, decided from the spot after the six-goal thriller. The narrative centred on Messi finally lifting the trophy or France defending the title. “Have I watched the match again since? Never! I think if I do, it might awaken some demons.”

The forward reached rare territory in that World Cup final. Mbappe became only the second player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final, matching Geoff Hurst, who hit three goals for England against West Germany in 1966, another match that ended with a decisive extra-time surge.

Mbappe’s influence on recent tournaments is clear in the numbers. Across the previous two World Cups, Mbappe has registered more goals, with 12, and more direct goal involvements, with 14, than any other player. That output places Mbappe at the centre of France’s plans for another deep run.

France World Cup final record and upcoming campaign

France carry a strong record into the next global tournament, having reached four of the seven World Cup finals since 1998, appearing in the deciders in 1998, 2006, 2018 and 2022, at least twice more than any other nation over that span, highlighting sustained competitiveness at the highest level.

They now aim to join a small group of serial finalists. France will attempt to become only the third side to reach three consecutive World Cup finals, following West Germany, who did so in 1982, 1986 and 1990, and Brazil, who repeated that feat in 1994, 1998 and 2002.

France’s group schedule sets the path toward that goal, starting against Senegal on June 16, before meetings with Iraq and Norway in Group I. Their recent record, Mbappe’s scoring form and the chance to chase history all frame France as one of the central stories of this World Cup.