Even though France, the runners-up in 2022, lost to Argentina in the World Cup final on Sunday, the nation cheered them on as they returned home.
There were concerns the players might be mistreated when Aurelien Tchouameni and Kingsley Coman missed their penalty attempts in the penalty shootout. On social media, there was supposedly racial animosity toward some players, but when they arrived in Paris, it was different.
From atop a building, the players waved back and were greeted by thunderous applause from their large following.
After 36 minutes of play at the Khalifa International Stadium, Argentina seemed to have eliminated France from the championship match.
Mbappe scored twice in the closing two minutes of regulation time, forcing overtime. Two minutes from the end of extra time, Messi again made it 3-2 for La Albiceleste, necessitating a penalty shootout before Mbappe's equalizer.
Argentina ultimately prevailed 4-2 on penalties to win their first world championship in 36 years.
Since they gave the squad a thundering greeting, the French public appeared to have been won over by Les Bleus' heroic effort.