Kylian Mbappe is not sure what type of reception he will receive when he captains France against Italy at the Parc des Princes tomorrow night.
Mbappe got a mixed farewell on his final appearance for Paris Saint-Germain at the venue with jeers ringing round the stadium before the club’s ultras unfurled a banner in his honour ahead of the Ligue 1 game against Toulouse in May.
Mbappe subsequently joined Real Madrid on a free transfer and makes his first return to the French capital when Didier Deschamps’ men take on the Azzurri in a Nations League encounter.
Asked what he was expecting, Mbappe said: “The stadium is special. I have spent many years here and I have many memories. It’s the stadium I know best from my career at the moment.
“I only have good memories with my family, with the players. Tomorrow’s reception, I don’t expect much. The most important thing is to win and start the Nations League well.”
✅ Clairefontaine ➡️ Paris
🔜 Entraînement au Parc des Princes🇫🇷🇮🇹 #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/DlJhYd6SLM
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) September 5, 2024
Happy with life in Madrid
Mbappe scored twice in Madrid’s 2-0 win over Real Betis at the weekend, ending a three-game wait for a goal in La Liga.
He added: “Everything is working very well. My performance is improving little by little. And I come with the same energy as always to the French national team.”
Mbappe will be hoping to regain top form for his country after his European Championship was hampered by a broken nose suffered in France’s opening match against Austria.
After missing one game he returned donning a face mask but struggled to make an impression as France exited at the semi-final stage after defeat to eventual winners Spain.
Asked how he was feeling now, he replied: ”I don’t have a broken nose anymore, so I’ve been fine since the Euros. When I arrived in Madrid, I took tests and they told me that it was not necessary to have surgery.
“I feel good. Honestly, physically and mentally I’m fine.”
