Mbappe named EA FC 27 cover star as France exit World Cup

Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe has been named the cover athlete for EA FC 27, marking a significant commercial announcement shortly after the France national team’s departure from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The revelation was shared on the social media platform X, accompanied by the caption “I’m back,” a phrase that has since sparked widespread discussion among supporters and critics alike.

The timing of the announcement follows a difficult tournament for France, who were eliminated in the semifinals by Spain. The eventual champions defeated the French side 2-0, neutralising their attack with a heavy-possession style of play. France’s campaign concluded shortly thereafter with a loss in the third-place match against England, ending their hopes of securing a podium finish.

Social media reactions to Mbappe’s post were immediate, with many users drawing parallels to Cristiano Ronaldo’s behaviour during the same tournament. The Portuguese forward, who is 41 years old and the former captain of Portugal, utilised the phrase “I’m back” after scoring two goals against Uzbekistan in the group stage. However, Ronaldo’s subsequent performance in the knockout rounds was less prolific, scoring only a single penalty.

Observers noted the similarity in messaging, with some interpreting Mbappe’s caption as a mimicry of Ronaldo’s earlier celebration. One fan remarked on the deliberate nature of the post, while another questioned whether the French striker was mocking the Portuguese forward’s own tournament narrative. Comments ranged from accusations of trolling to observations about the perceived contrast in outcomes between the two players’ statements.

Despite the social media scrutiny, Mbappe did not mention Ronaldo in his original post. The announcement serves as a high-profile return to the global spotlight for the Real Madrid star, who has moved on from the unsuccessful World Cup run to headline the latest iteration of EA Sports’ football video game franchise.