local
Is Mbappé too good for France?
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· July 13, 2026
· 7 min read
By Leah Asmelash, CNN
(CNN) — Five years ago, Kylian Mbappé almost quit the French national team.
France, a favorite in the Euro 2020 tournament, had just lost to Switzerland in the Round of 16. The French led for most of the game, only for the Swiss to score two late goals and force a penalt...
Key takeaway France, a favorite in the Euro 2020 tournament, had just lost to Switzerland in the Round of 16.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The story of Kylian Mbappé's struggles with racist abuse and his complicated relationship with French identity may seem distant from El Paso , but it resonates with the city's own experiences with diversity and multiculturalism. As a border community with a rich history of cultural exchange, El Pasoans understand the value of embracing different backgrounds and heritage. Mbappé's story serves as a reminder that even in a city that celebrates its diversity, there are still those who seek to divide and marginalize. The fact that Mbappé, a French citizen and one of the world's top soccer players, faces abuse and criticism for his heritage is a stark reminder that these issues are not unique to El Paso or the US, but are part of a global conversation about identity, belonging, and inclusivity. El Pasoans can learn from Mbappé's resilience and determination to succeed despite the challenges he faces.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 13, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 7 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Leah Asmelash, CNN
(CNN) — Five years ago, Kylian Mbappé almost quit the French national team.
France, a favorite in the Euro 2020 tournament, had just lost to Switzerland in the Round of 16. The French led for most of the game, only for the Swiss to score two late goals and force a penalt...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 13, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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