In the year since he was named captain of the France team, Kylian Mbappé has adapted the role to his stature as a top player. Hugo Lloris, his predecessor, used to answer questions from journalists before each match? The native of Bondy, for his part, willingly shares this responsibility with his teammates, so that his words remain rare. But when he responds, the auditoriums of the stadiums in France are full.
The one at Groupama Stadium, in Décines-Charpieu, in the Lyon suburbs, was no exception, Friday March 22. For the fourth time in his mandate as captain of the Blues, Kylian Mbappé therefore went to a press conference, aware that the interest in the friendly match between France and Germany on Saturday would carry very little weight compared to the issues of the moment which concern him: his future at club, his possible participation in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games or even his reduced playing time at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
During his last appearance in front of the press, before the match against Gibraltar in November, Mbappé directly asked his interlocutors not to mention his future at PSG, before skillfully dodging all the questions that came close or close to it. far. On Friday, the – already – third top scorer in the history of the Blues did not give any instructions and the subject inevitably came up on the table several times.
“I haven’t announced anything yet, because I have nothing to announce”, began the Parisian striker, who had only spoken once, after the qualification of PSG for the quarter-finals of the Champions League, since his intention to leave the capital club at the end season was made public in February. Approached by Real Madrid, Mbappé therefore let nothing filter out about his future, even if he specified that the question should be “settled” between now and the start of the Euro in Germany (from June 14 to July 14).
Mbappé teasing… and philosopher
The summer for the captain of the Blues could be busy if he were to follow the European Championship with the Olympic Games. But like all footballers potentially selectable by Thierry Henry (who can call on three players over 23), Kylian Mbappé is dependent on the will of the club with which he will be under contract, because the Olympic tournament does not take place on dates planned by the International Football Federation (FIFA).
“I always said that the Olympic Games in Paris were special and that I wanted to be there. My ambition has not changed », recalled Mbappé. From a dreamer, just a few years ago, with the idea of playing in the Olympic tournament, the 25-year-old striker has become pragmatic, aware of being dependent on the goodwill of his future employer: “I have reached a point in my career and my life where I take a much more perspective on what is happening to me. If I go there, I will live a waking dream. If I don’t go, I’ll accept it and do what I’m told. »
In recent weeks, Mbappé has proven his ability to take this step back by accepting, without flinching, to see his playing time reduced at club, due to the choices of his coach, Luis Enrique. A bad for a good ? “It’s true that I feel good at the moment, I’m not very tired. » To a journalist who asks him if all the noise around him doesn’t impact his daily life, the attacker responds with a teasing smile: “When you see my latest performances, do you see a disturbed guy? »
Author of a hat-trick on the Montpellier pitch a week ago with PSG, Mbappé arrives ready for France’s two friendly matches, against Germany on Saturday, then Chile on Tuesday. But also determined: “I have always shown in the past that, when I am in the selection, there is nothing that goes above and beyond. » Didier Dechamps and the entire French public hope that he will demonstrate it once again, Saturday against the Mannschaft.