French President Emmanuel Macron hails Mbappe despite defeat; congratulates Argentina

Dejected but still proud of France's World Cup team, French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated Argentina and Argentines for their win in Sunday's final.

"We are first of all very sad, very disappointed," he told reporters in Qatar.

He sought to console the devastated Kylian Mbappe and other France players in their changing room, and said he told them that "they made us all immensely proud, and made us all tremble with excitement."

He praised Mbappe's "extraordinary" performance and stressed that he is only 24 and has already had the rare experience of playing in two World Cup finals.

After recounting his emotions while watching the game, Macron said, "bravo to Argentina, to the Argentine players and their people," he said.

Macron said the French players are expected to return to France on Monday and parade down the Champs-Elysees in Paris despite their defeat.

Macron will be visiting French troops stationed abroad for the holidays.

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