France centre-half Wesley Fofana has defended absent captain Kylian Mbappe and suggested the media are sometimes too hard on the Real Madrid star.
Mbappe has been the main story this week even though he is not even with the France squad.
The 25-year-old was left out by coach Didier Deschamps when the squad was named last week to help him recover from a thigh injury. He then started for Madrid at the weekend, a move that raised eyebrows. And the criticism intensified when he was spotted visiting a Stockholm nightclub on Thursday at the same time France were playing Israel in Budapest.
It’s not a great look for Les Bleus’ captain but Chelsea defender Fofana was standing by his skipper.
Ça bosse avant le match de lundi 👊 pic.twitter.com/Y093tfyCiQ
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) October 12, 2024
Speaking ahead of Monday’s game against Belgium, he said: “People can do what they want with their free time.
“It isn’t something we [the France squad] have talked about today, I hadn’t heard about this story.
“He does what he wants; he is a great lad and a great professional. Are we making too much of it? I don’t know. He’s the best French player, so it’s normal that it is very publicised.
“I think that from time to time [the media] go a little too far. You should ask Kylian Mbappé for more information.”
Guendouzi also standing behind Mbappe
Lazio midfielder Matteo Guendouzi echoed Fofana when he added: “We have no doubts about Kylian. There is no question about his passion [for his country].
“He loves his country; he will continue to help us. We must stop talking about it too much.
“He has days off; he can do what he wants.”
Despite their backing, Deschamps will be grilled on the subject when he fronts the media tomorrow.
