The day before, his teammate Marcus Thuram had very clearly taken a position against the RN during a press conference. This Sunday, the captain of the Blues spoke at length about the French political situation, returning this said back to back RN and LFI, but insisting on the values of “mixity”, “tolerance” and “respect” which prevail in our country.
“A crucial moment in the history of our country.» Highly anticipated on the eve of the Blues’ entry into the German Euro against the Austrian selection and, above all, the day after the call from his teammate Marcus Thuram to block the National Rally during the next legislative elections (June 30 then July 7), Kylian Mbappé hit the nail on the head: “Our country is experiencing an unprecedented situation. Younger generations can make a difference. The extremes are at the gates of power. But we need to identify with our country, with the values of diversity, tolerance and respect. I share the same values as Marcus. He didn’t go too far: he simply gave his opinion and I side with him.
On questions from journalists, almost all of which focus on the political situation: “We players have often blamed you for things, rightly or wrongly. But you have a sense of priorities. The match against Austria is very important, but less than the political situation in our country. We are citizens. And thinking about what is happening in France does not prevent you from performing well. We are great players, we have to adapt. We thought about doing something collectively [un communiqué commun entre joueurs, ndlr], to protect the competition but also the youngest. It’s difficult for them, they may not be equipped to answer these questions, or they are hesitant about the wording… They may give the impression to not care. But no one cares. So, we have to find a common position, as a team, to protect these guys.»
“There are no differences between the extremes”
He was then asked if Kylian Mbappé was specifically targeting the National Rally, or if he was aiming more broadly. “Kylian Mbappé is against the extremes, against those who divide. You know very well that in the countryside, in the suburbs, many young people tell themselves that their voice will not change anything. I was like that too at their age. I do not want to represent a country that does not share the values of tolerance, diversity and respect. And I hope I will still be proud to wear this jersey on July 7. There are no differences between the extremes, because they are divisive ideas. I am for ideas that bring people together.”
The day before, Marcus Thuram had exclusively targeted the National Rally: not mentioning any party by name, Mbappé therefore without the slightest ambiguity associates LFI in his rejection. Passing in front of the microphones after his captain, the coach, Didier Deschamps, did not have a good time: uncomfortable, sometimes feeling like he was on the gridiron, he seemed in a hurry to get it over with: “Here, I am a coach. The citizen will perhaps speak privately after the Euro.” On what the players said: “The players talk about the daily political situation. If I was going to say something to them, it would be inappropriate. And that would be interpreted as a request for censorship on my part. They are players, men and French citizens.»
