Frustrated but still proud of his French team, French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated Argentina and the Argentines on their victory in Sunday’s final.

France’s Kylian Mbappe is consoled by French President Emmanuel Macron after the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec.18, 2022.

“We are first of all very sad, very disappointed,” Macron told reporters in Qatar.

He tried to comfort Kylian Mbappe and the other French players in the dressing room, saying he told them “they made us all very proud and made us all shake with excitement.”

French President Emmanuel Macron walks onto the pitch after his country’s team lost to Argentina in the World Cup final, Sunday, December 18, 2022, in Lusail, Qatar.

He hailed Mbappe’s “extraordinary” performance, stressing that he was only 24 years old and already had the rare experience of making two World Cup finals.

French President Emmanuel Macron hugs France’s Kylian Mbappe who was awarded the Golden Boot after the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022.

“Cheers to Argentina, to the Argentine players and to their people,” Macron said after describing his emotions as he watched the game.

Macron said the French players were expected to return to France on Monday despite the loss and marched on the Champs-Elysées in Paris. Macron will visit French troops stationed abroad during the holiday.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi shakes hands with France’s President Emmanuel Macron during the awarding ceremony at the end of World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. Argentina won 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the match ended tied 3-3.

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