Despite the World Cup final defeat, the team was welcomed like a hero in France, the players were surprised

Thousands of supporters in central Paris greeted the French team as heroes as they arrived home despite losing one of the most thrilling World Cup finals ever. Kylian Mbappe and his entourage landed at Charles de Gaulle airport from Doha at 8 pm local time. The players dejectedly walked off the plane but were greeted by airport staff with ‘thank you’ and ‘Paris love you’ signs.

However, the team did not pay much attention to it. The sadness was still visible on the faces of the players after losing the final to Argentina in the penalty shootout. They boarded buses from the airport to the Place de la Concorde, where thousands of supporters were waiting for them. Seeing the enthusiasm of the supporters, the enthusiasm of the team also returned.

In contrast, when France returned after winning the title from Russia in 2018, there was no such parade of the team in the Champs-Elysées. However, the reception venue did not matter to the supporters as they turned up to welcome the team despite the chilly winter evening.

When players and coach Didier Deschamps came to the balcony of the Hotel de Crillon, they were greeted by supporters waving flags and singing ‘La Marseillaise’.