Mbappe’s slip of the thumb: France star accidentally posts girlfriend in full national team kit — Then deletes it seconds later

Kylian Mbappé broke his own rule of digital privacy in the early hours of Sunday morning—and then spent the next few minutes trying to undo it.

The French national team captain and newly minted Real Madrid forward briefly uploaded an Instagram Story featuring Spanish actress Ester Expósito, only to delete it almost instantly. The post, which went live at approximately 5:30 AM, came just hours after France’s chaotic 6-4 defeat to England in the World Cup third-place playoff—a match widely described as “the craziest in history,” with ten goals scored between the two sides.

What the Photo Showed

The viral image captured Expósito posing inside what appeared to be a hotel room, wearing France’s full national team kit—complete with Mbappé’s iconic No. 10 and, most notably, the captain’s armband.

For a couple that has never publicly confirmed their relationship, the detail sent social media into overdrive.

The 27-Second Mystery

According to content creator Javi Hoyos, who broke the timeline of the blunder, the Story survived for mere seconds. Screenshots captured by followers at the 9-second, 23-second, and 57-second marks circulated rapidly before the “story unavailable” message appeared. Other reports suggest the post lasted approximately 27 seconds in total.

Hoyos proposed a plausible explanation: Mbappé likely intended to share the photo exclusively with his “Close Friends” list—Instagram’s feature that restricts content to a private, select group—but accidentally published it to his public profile of over 135 million followers.

Who Is Ester Expósito?

The woman at the center of the frenzy is no stranger to the spotlight herself.

Expósito, 26, is a Madrid-born actress who shot to international fame playing Carla Rosón Caleruega in Netflix’s hit Spanish-language drama Élite. The series became one of Netflix’s most successful non-English productions globally, and her performance across the first three seasons (2018–2020) transformed her from a relatively unknown talent with just 5,000 Instagram followers into a global name.

Her career has since expanded well beyond the streaming hit. She has starred in films including Venus, Lost in the Night (which premiered at Cannes), and Bandidos, and became a Bulgari global brand ambassador in 2021. Today, she commands over 24 million Instagram followers—surpassing established Spanish stars like Penélope Cruz and Ana de Armas.

A Romance Shrouded in Secrecy

Neither Mbappé nor Expósito has ever publicly confirmed their romantic relationship. Dating rumors first surfaced in late February 2026, when the pair were reportedly spotted together in Paris. By early March, they were photographed traveling on Mbappé’s private jet, sharing coffee in his car, and attending a Real Madrid match together from the VIP section at the Santiago Bernabéu.

In April, they were seen dining in Paris and reportedly on a bowling outing. Just weeks before the World Cup, they were photographed sharing a kiss on a yacht in Ibiza.

Despite these sightings, the couple has maintained an unusually private stance. Unlike many football stars whose partners are regular fixtures in the stands, Expósito has largely stayed away from the spotlight during the tournament.

The Fallout

The accidental post has reignited speculation across TikTok, X, and Instagram. Fans flooded forums with reactions ranging from joy to conspiracy theories: “Did he post it by accident and then delete it quickly?” one user asked. “Maybe his girlfriend made him delete it because the photo was unflattering,” speculated another. “Oh my God, finally the day has come when we see Mbappé showing off his girlfriend!” exclaimed a third.

Complicating matters further is Expósito’s nationality. As a Spanish actress, her decision to pose in full France kit—and with the captain’s armband, no less—came just days before Spain’s World Cup final against Argentina, a matchup that has placed her firmly in the crosshairs of online commentary.

As of publication, neither Mbappé nor Expósito has commented on the viral screenshot or addressed the romance rumors directly. Whether the post was a simple misclick, a soft-launch gone wrong, or an accidental glimpse into a private moment shared only with “Close Friends,” one thing is certain: the 27 seconds were more than enough to set the internet ablaze.