This Monday, the Blues launch their Euro against Austria at 9 p.m. On the eve of a capital meeting, the captain of the Blues, white cap and blue white red FFF t-shirt, was at a press conference in front of a hundred journalists this Sunday in Düsseldorf at the Merkur Arena, where he was almost entirely questioned on the political upheavals after the victory of the RN in the European elections and the dissolution subsequently announced.
Do you have a message to deliver on the rise of the far right in France?
KYLIAN MBAPPE. We are at a crucial moment in the history of our country. You have to know how to sort things out and have a sense of priorities. The Euro has a very important place in our careers but we are citizens above all. We must not be disconnected from the world around us, even less when it concerns our country. This is an unprecedented situation. I want to address all the French people, especially the younger generation. We are a generation that can make a difference. The extremes are at the gates of power. We have the opportunity to choose the future of our country. I call on young people to go vote, to realize the importance of the situation. I hope my voice will carry as much as possible. We need to identify with this country. We need to identify with our values, those of diversity, tolerance, respect. It is undeniable. I trust all French people. I know that there are a lot of young people who say to themselves that one vote is not going to change anything. On the contrary, every voice counts. This is not to be neglected. I really hope that we will make the right choice and that we will still be proud to wear our jersey on July 7.
Marcus Thuram calls for blocking the RN. Did you talk about it with him?
I share the same values as Marcus, those of diversity, tolerance and respect. I’m with him, he didn’t go too far. We have freedom of expression. He gave his opinion and I agree with his.
Can this kind of climate have an impact on players’ concentration?
You journalists have a sense of priorities. Tomorrow’s match (Monday) is very important but there is a situation more important than tomorrow’s match. That doesn’t change the fact that we are very focused and aware of the importance of the match. We prepared it as best as possible. It’s up to me as captain to re-mobilize the group and we will be there to defend the colors of our country tomorrow. One doesn’t stop me from the other. The situation is different. We are big players and we have to adapt.
Can there be a more collective commitment from the Blues against the RN?
We thought about doing something as a team, to protect this competition without being indifferent to the situation. We thought a lot and discussed the message we could give as a team. This helps protect the youngest. Perhaps some cannot or do not necessarily know how to express themselves on these subjects in front of all the people, all the journalists. There’s no one on the team who doesn’t care, some are more comfortable talking about it than others. The goal is to protect all players. We thought about it and we’re going to do something.
Is Kylian Mbappé, captain of the France team, calling to vote against the RN?
Kylian Mbappé is against extremes and divisive ideas. We can choose the future of our country. There are plenty of young people who are not aware of it, unconsciously, when we see the abstention rate. I give voice to speak to these people. I had this characteristic, when I was younger, of telling myself that my voice was not going to change anything. Yes, yes, it will change. Given the importance and urgency of the situation, I do not want to represent a country that does not correspond to my values on the 7th. We must not hide. It is often said that you should not mix sport and politics. I agree when it concerns trifles. It is more important than tomorrow’s match because the country is at stake for its future. I don’t differentiate between extremes, these ideas that divide. I am for ideas that unite and common values.
