France coach Didier Deschamps has defended captain and star player Kylian Mbappe amid criticism of the striker’s performance at Euro 2024.
The 25-year-old Mbappe has only scored one goal in the tournament – a penalty in the final group game against Poland – but France reached the semi-finals despite not scoring a goal from open play.
Deschamps substituted Real Madrid’s new signing during extra time in the penalty shootout in the quarter-final against Portugal, but Mbappe reportedly asked to be substituted.
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Appearing on French television show Telefoot on Sunday, Deschamps reminded Mbappe’s critics of what he has already achieved on the sporting stage.
“Don’t you think he’s already made enough history with what he’s done so far?” the coach said. “He wants to make more history.”
“We did everything we could together with the medical staff to get him here. He had a little problem with his back during the preparations, but Kylian is here.”
Deschamps also responded to speculation that if Mbappe is not fully fit he could be dropped to the bench to help revitalise the team’s struggling attack.
Kylian Mbappe and Didier Deschamps embrace after France’s quarter-final win over Portugal. RONNY HARTMANN/AFP via Getty Images
The forward was forced to play most of the tournament wearing a mask after breaking his nose in a collision with Kevin Danso in Brazil’s opening group game against Austria.
“I know very well that even if he is not 100%, opponents know he is playing and it makes them think and force them to adapt,” Deschamps said.
Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick in his team’s defeat in the 2022 World Cup final and a fourth goal in his team’s victory in the 2018 World Cup final, also had the support of teammates Randal Kolo Muani and Youssouf Fofana, who spoke at the team’s press conference on Sunday.
“Kylian is the player who scored three penalties in a World Cup final,” Fofana said. “I don’t know many players who have achieved this feat. I only know one.”
“Whether it’s him or a player like Antoine, [Griezmann] “As a co-captain, he’s done something that most guys in the locker room don’t do: When they speak, we listen.”
Kolo Muani added: “He [Mbappé] He has the talent to lead a group. He has a lot of experience, and I think he was born to lead a group.
France will face Spain in the semi-finals on Tuesday in Munich.
