Didier Deschamps defends Kylian Mbappé after criticism of far-right | OneFootball

In his press conference following the announcement of his France squad for the World Cup, Didier Deschamps was notably asked about Kylian Mbappé’s recent comments criticising France’s far-right.

During Euro 2024, Mbappé and several of his teammates spoke out against “extremists that seek to divide the country”. Their comments came after the far-right Rassemblement National party, led by Marine Le Pen at the time, had won the most votes in first round of France’s parliamentary elections.

In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, the France captain defended that decision and rejected the idea that footballers were too out of touch to speak on the issue. “It affects me, because I know what it means, and what kind of consequences it can have for my country when those kinds of people take control.”

Jordan Bardella, the likely nominee of the Rassemblement National in next year’s presidential election, responded to Mbappé on social media: “I know what happens when Kylian Mbappé leaves PSG: the club wins the Champions League.”

On Thursday evening, Didier Deschamps defended his forward’s decision to criticise the far-right, although he indicated that he himself would steer clear of politics: 

“First of all, I won’t judge the players. You have freedom of expression, as do my players. I’m not going to tell them not to speak. They are well aware that there are sensitive topics, they are citizens. If they speak out, [they’re asked] why they did so, and if they don’t speak out, [they’re asked] why they didn’t.”

“There might be pros and cons, but what I’m interested in is Kylian, who he is and the footballer he is. But he is also a citizen, who is allowed to feel affected. I would never [speak on those topics], but I’m not saying he should do the same as me. Obviously, it will spark debate, but he’ll be criticised either way whether he speaks out or not. The only judgement I will make is based on what happens on the pitch.”

GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin – reporting from TF1 studios, Paris