Mbappé did not play in the 2026 World Cup final but a video with Ester Expósito caught fans’ attention

The 2026 World Cup final had Spain and Argentina as the main figures on the field, but one of the tournament’s most talked-about names appeared again away from the action. Kylian Mbappé was unable to play in the title match, yet a video of him alongside Ester Expósito during the World Cup final quickly caught the attention of fans.

The footage showed both of them aboard a yacht, accompanied by other people, while watching the match from a different location. Sitting together and showing a close attitude, they appeared semi-embraced during several moments of the broadcast.

The scene sparked reactions due to the attention surrounding the French forward throughout the tournament, with his presence defined not only by his performances on the pitch but also by the events that followed him away from football.

A historic World Cup for Mbappé despite missing the final

Mbappé’s journey at the 2026 World Cup ended before the decisive match. France was eliminated in the semifinals by Spain, with the Spanish team winning 2-0 to secure their place in the final.

Although he did not lift the trophy, the French striker finished the tournament with a milestone that entered football history. After the third-place match against England, where he scored twice, Mbappé reached 22 goals in World Cup tournaments, surpassing Lionel Messi’s previous record of 21 goals.

That achievement made the forward the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history, adding another historic accomplishment to an individual campaign filled with records and recognition.

The big question now is whether Mbappé will be able to maintain this level in the next World Cup and turn this new chapter in history into another opportunity to compete for the title.

For now, the only confirmed reality is that the 2026 World Cup has come to an end, leaving behind an image that captured attention away from the field: Mbappé watched the final alongside Ester Expósito, in a moment many fans connected with support for Spain, the team that ultimately lifted the championship trophy.

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