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Kylian Mbappe has delivered an emotional message to Didier Deschamps ahead of the coach’s final match in charge of France, acknowledging that the team “failed” to give their long-serving manager the farewell he truly deserved following their World Cup exit. The French captain has now called on his teammates to ensure a victorious send-off in their upcoming clash against England.

Mbappe has openly accepted responsibility for France’s inability to reach a third successive World Cup final, admitting that the squad “failed” Deschamps at the last hurdle. The 27-year-old forward, who made his international debut under Deschamps in 2017, took to social media to express his regret over not being able to end the coach’s tenure on a more triumphant note.

In a touching message shared with his millions of followers, Mbappe wrote: “Today is your last dance. You have given us so much. We should have given you a better ending, but we failed. It’s hard to put into words what you’ve done for this team over the past 14 years. You’ve been instrumental in its revival.”

Deschamps, 57, leaves behind one of the most successful legacies in French football history, having guided Les Bleus to World Cup glory in 2018 and a Nations League title. Despite these successes, he has often faced criticism from sections of the French media for his pragmatic approach to tactics and gameplay.

Mbappe emphasised this lack of appreciation in his tribute, saying: “People haven’t always known how to value your greatness, but time and history will do justice to it. Thank you for giving me the chance to wear the national jersey and represent our country on the biggest stage for so many years.”

The upcoming match against England, which serves as the third-place play-off or “small final”, will mark the end of a partnership spanning nearly a decade. Deschamps first introduced a teenage Mbappe to the international stage on March 25, 2017, beginning a close professional relationship that has shaped much of French football’s modern era.

Closing his statement with a look towards the future, Mbappe wished Deschamps success in his next chapter, with Zinedine Zidane widely tipped to take over as France’s next head coach. “I wish you the best in your new adventure,” Mbappe wrote. “And thank you again for everything you’ve brought to this jersey, which means so much to us.”

As Deschamps’ reign draws to a close, Mbappe and the French squad are determined to secure a final victory for their manager in Saturday’s third-place play-off against England. During his 186 matches at the helm, Deschamps led France to 122 wins, 32 draws, and 32 defeats, overseeing 400 goals scored and 174 conceded. His tenure, spanning over a decade, represents one of the most remarkable periods in French football history.