French president 'sad' over WC loss but 'proud'

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.

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. 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.