The captain of the France team appeared before the press this Friday, on the eve of the match against Gibraltar.
We had to go back to last spring to find any trace of Kylian Mbappé speaking publicly. It was as part of the last international match of last season, after a trip to Gibraltar. Since then, the captain of the France team had let other executives take part in the press conference in his place. Antoine Griezmann, but also Aurélien Tchouaméni, did the job seriously and brilliantly.
But this Friday, all the spotlight was on the Bondy prodigy. Called upon to break the silence on several issues, Mbappé did not shy away from his responsibilities.
Why did you wait so long ? “The last time I came was in June. I announced that I would not come to all the press conferences. I did the first 3 conferences, Antoine did the next 3, then new leaders came. »
The Olympics : “I always wanted to play them, it’s not me who decides, it’s my employer. I would like to play them. »
The differences between PSG and the Blues? “I am a different player in both teams with a coach who always wants to have the ball. And on the other hand we have a selection where we always adapt to the opponent. And that’s what makes me a different player, but I like it, it allows me to broaden my palette. The differences ? The coach here gives me total freedom on the left lane. With coach Luis Enrique, there are a lot more instructions (…) I have this particularity of adapting to all these patterns, I have every interest in listening to these two great coaches who will help me progress. »
Relaunched on his silence: “I have never been someone who hides. I sent my letter, I came afterwards, I had 11 questions, 9 about PSG… The French team does not belong to anyone. »
His future : “This is absolutely not the news from the France team. I came here as captain. If you want to ask me this question, you have to come to Campus and ask me and I will answer you if I am called to come to a press conference. It’s normal, right? »
Luis Enrique’s spade : “I took it very well, he’s a great coach. He has a lot to teach me. I’m at a point in my career where I want to broaden my palette. From my experience with the different coaches that I had, with Pochettino, Tuchel, they were coaches who spoke to me ‘very very badly’, and that did not prevent me from playing very well and having very good relations with them. I am a very demanding player with myself, and if I find this requirement with my coach I am happy because I know that it will take me very high. I don’t necessarily need my coach to say that I’m the best in the world to play well.”
A future that weighs on him? The decision made? “It’s a question worded differently but it’s the same as your colleague. It’s not something that weighs on me (…) When I’m on the pitch, I only think about my football. I don’t think about external things. »
Warren Zaire-Emery: “He’s fascinating. He is already very mature, he plays with a lot of personality. He is a modern midfielder who is not afraid to advance with the ball and gain meters for his team. In the impact it is there. The objective is to support him. Even if he will make mistakes, he will learn very quickly. He will learn on his own, he has everything to progress with his coaches. It’s a pleasure to have this refresher in the team. 17 years old, he’s my little brother’s age! It’s crazy ! He’s doing his homework, it’s nonsense! The guy is fascinating, he has to be himself. »
The Golden Ball : “I don’t have a problem with that. The ranking is what it is. Messi deserves it. When Messi wins the World Cup, he must win the Ballon d’Or, that’s how it works. He is one of the best players in history, if not the best. When he won the World Cup, on the evening of the 18th, I knew that he had won the World Cup and the Ballon d’Or. And everyone knew it. Now, it’s certain that I had a great season, that Erling had a great season, but next to a World Cup won by Messi, that doesn’t weigh much. »
With which profile does he express himself best in attack? “ That’s not a question for me! So that afterwards you say ‘Kylian wants to play with him and he doesn’t like the other two’. The 3 are strong, the 3 score goals, one plays for Milan, the other for Inter, the other for PSG. The 3 have different profiles so there you go! Let the best play and we will adapt to whoever plays, quite simply… It’s not good (smile).”
What exchanges with Kolo Muani and Dembélé? “Difficult for them? On their performance? I didn’t understand, why? They have just arrived at a new club, that’s normal. Ousmane is on his way back up, he’s playing good matches. Randal is slowly but surely adapting. Afterwards it’s certain that when you play in a club like PSG, it’s never enough, that’s why PSG is PSG, there are demands. I try to talk with them, it’s important that the human feels good for the athlete to succeed. »
Her relationship with Marcus Thuram : “I have known him for ten years. I’ve been saying for years that it’s going to end there. He has all the qualities to be a very, very good center forward. We talk almost every day. I have a lot of affection for him. Inter made the right choice, and he also made the right choice, so I’m very happy for him.”
