World Cup, Mbappé contested: Dembélé and Deschamps defend him

Save soldier Kylian. French public opinion and the web criticize him both because he doesn’t score and because he helps little in the defensive phase. It’s a strange situation for a striker who scored 42 goals in the season with Real Madrid, but who brings with him a lot of controversy because, after leaving PSG on a free transfer, he only won one European Super Cup and one Intercontinental Cup. Too little considering that his former team has raised two Champions League titles in a row in the last two years. At home, therefore, Mbappé he has become an “easy” target and his private life is not helping him: at the beginning of May, when he was injured, he was photographed in Sardinia with his girlfriend and a fuss arose, but (unfairly) he was also reproached for having gone to Madrid with his partner on Tuesday, on the free tour granted by the coach (!). A sort of media target practice that Deschamps and his teammates are rebelling against because they don’t want the captain’s serenity to be undermined ahead of Tuesday’s debut against Senegal.

ct support

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After Monday’s friendly match, Deschamps was clear in maintaining that Mbappé’s role is at the center of the attack: “Do you think it’s stupid to play him there? If so, the coaches of Real Madrid and last season at PSG who used him as a center forward are also stupid.” Then in the following hours he took things further by making a more general speech: “Kylian lives with criticism and is prepared for both fair and unfair ones. Then there are the facts and his performances. When Real Madrid doesn’t win titles, it’s obvious that the responsibility is his, as is the rest of the team. But being Mbappé means that people are more demanding and say it’s always his fault.”

FRIEND DEMBÉLÉ

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A hand also extended by Ousmane Dembélé, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner and probably the element in France who, from a tactical point of view, suffers the most from Mbappé’s presence on the pitch. Ousmane, in fact, cannot play as a false nine, exactly like at PSG, but is forced to act as a left-footed winger in the 4-3-3 or as a sub-forward in the 4-2-3-1. A big problem for him who, however, did not forget to take the side of his friend and captain, speaking to Marca: “People have been very unfair to him and we are giving too much importance to the criticism that Kylian receives because he is an incredible player. He is a wonderful person off the pitch and I can assure you of this because I have known him for a long time. Sometimes we exaggerate with the criticism simply because it is Kylian Mbappé. We shouldn’t be so harsh on him. Whether he laces up his shoes or not, whether he pulls up his socks or not… There’s always something that’s not right… It’s too much. Because he’s still a human being and he’s a player of exceptional quality. In any case, here with the national team, he gets along very well with us and is respected by everyone: he’s a leader, the captain of our team and he’s a very important player.” Coming from the Ballon d’Or, it takes on even more value. Lucas Hernandez, brother of former Rossoneri player Theo, also had sweet words: “The first year after Kylian left PSG, Ousmane (Dembélé, ed.) and I became even closer to him: we didn’t talk every week, but almost every two. Mbappé is an extraordinary player and when you’re like him, everyone scrutinizes you, everything you do, on and off the pitch. He’s someone I admire because he’s always motivated to 100% and can’t wait to start the World Cup. It will put to rest all the criticism he has received this season.”

record hunt

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Mbappé for his part seems not to be too upset by the criticism and in yesterday’s session, despite the football, he seemed smiling: he showed his ability with the ball by performing complicated stops even for a champion and during the exercises he kicked on goal and often scored. He wants to win the World Cup again and perhaps become the player to score the most goals in the history of the World Cup. The record belongs to Klose, scoring 16 times, while in second place is the Phenomenon Ronaldo (15). And Mbappe? In just two adventures in the World Cup he has already reached 12 goals, 8 of which in 2022 in Qatar. With 4 goals he would reach Klose, but he still has to watch out for competition from Messi who has 13 and wants to be the first to surpass the German. Another good challenge, after the one to his critics, for Kylian.