Kylian Mbappé to announce shock retirement?

Sad news for Mbappé fans. Speculation had been rife that the former World Cup star will announce his retirement from sports, at age 27, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 17/01/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a footballer isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a footballer just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouKylian

For a little while on Friday evening, #ThankYouKylian was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouKylian.”
— @DesireePlum, 16 Jan 2026

“Didn't Kylian Mbappé retire about 3 years ago?”
— @samy2love, 16 Jan 2026

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