The French team are going through a difficult period after the 2022 World Cup final. Les Bleus were eliminated in the group stage of the last UEFA Nations League, fell to Spain in the Euro semi-finals and lost at home to Italy 3-1 on their debut in the current Nations League.
The big sign of the Gauls' poor form has been captain Kylian Mbappé. The Real Madrid striker, who has scored two goals in his last ten games with the national team, has been criticised by fans and former French footballers.
“I am at a stage in my life and career where I don't realize it anymore“I come, I play and I try to do my best to help the team. What people think is the least of my worries,” Mbappé said in a press conference before the match against Belgium, on the second day of the continental tournament.
Even harsher words against him
Former player of the “Bleus”, Bixente Lizarazu, PSG reacted to the comments of the current captain of the French team in a column published in “L'Equipe”. The six-time German champion strongly criticized the former PSG player for his comments and his current state of form.
“Kylian Mbappé’s press conference surprised and embarrassed me. The words used were inappropriate“It is not that of a leader and even less that of a captain. We cannot be insensitive to the feelings of the supporters of the French team, to the frustrations that they may harbor, to the questions that they may have,” he declared, sending a strong message.
“Mbappé is no longer as explosive or as decisive as before. He remains a very good scorer, a very good player of course, but he's not as scary as he used to be“, he added and we will see if he continues to have difficulties with his selection or at Real Madrid or if he finds a way to turn the situation around.
Source link: https://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2024/09/10/66dfdda0e2704e0ba98b45b7.html