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‘The Mbappe era is upon us’: Youthful France serve notice to football world with Russia success
France’s second World Cup win could be the beginning of an unprecedented era of success for Didier Deschamps young side, according to social media.
Kylian Mbappe became the first teenager to score a goal in World Cup Final since then 17-year-old Pele scored twice in the 1958 final against Sweden as France’s young side swept aside a gritty Croatia side in Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, leading to some influential figures on social media pointing out that this could be the first step of what could be a decade of dominance for French football.
Youth permeates Deschamps’ side, with just five players of the 23 being over the age of 30 (two of them being goalkeepers). Fifteen members of the squad are 25 or below, meaning that they won’t yet have celebrated their 30th birthday by the time the next World Cup rolls around.
Mbappe was awarded the honor of being the best young player at Russia 2018, while a teary-eyed Luka Modric was the deserved recipient of the Golden Ball for the tournament’s best player, something of a silver-lining to go with the Real Madrid playmaker’s silver medal.
See some of the best social media reactions below.
Congratulations to France, who played extraordinary soccer, on winning the 2018 World Cup. Additionally, congratulations to President Putin and Russia for putting on a truly great World Cup Tournament -- one of the best ever!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 15, 2018
Enjoying the World Cup final in Russia. A truly amazing spectacle! pic.twitter.com/OEeOBmEp9y
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 15, 2018
After all the criticism this last year... there is one thing not in doubt about this man... and that’s his CHARACTER. Won the World Cup and played an important role! Congrats @paulpogba 🏆🇫🇷 #Pogba #WorldCup #France #FRACRO pic.twitter.com/oEHBUa9DnD
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) July 15, 2018
Congratulations to @HKane on winning the golden boot. Welcome to the club, young man.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) July 15, 2018
The Kylian Mbappe era is upon us.
— Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) July 15, 2018
#WorldCupFinalWorld Championships 🇫🇷❤️ pic.twitter.com/erunuFlonI
— Dareen E. Alsaeed (@dareen_es) July 15, 2018
When he was 6, his grandfather was shot dead. His family became refugees, in a warzone. He grew up to the sound of grenades exploding.Coaches said he was too weak and too shy to play football.Today, Luka Modric just led Croatia its first ever #WorldCupFinal #WC2018 pic.twitter.com/1GM5DL2jhk
— Asaduddin Owaisi - Urdu (@AsaduddinUrdu) July 15, 2018
#WorldCupFinal hats off to the Croatian president. Have never ever seen anyone hugging and embracing each and everyone who participated in the finals including the officials. The world leaders should learn how this lady is smiling from her heart even on being on the losing side.
— Richard Aloies (@aloies_richard) July 15, 2018
This picture is going to haunt all of us in our sleep.#WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/YINehq7IFk
— umar. (@UmarHehe) July 15, 2018
VAR goes rogue and awards itself the world cup
— David O'Doherty (@phlaimeaux) July 15, 2018