France coach Didier Deschamps has come to the defence of his captain and star player Kylian Mbappe amid criticism of the striker's performances at Euro 2024.
Mbappé, 25, has scored just once in the tournament (a penalty in the final group game against Poland) and France have reached the semi-finals despite not scoring a goal from open play.
Deschamps replaced Real Madrid's latest signing in extra time in the quarter-final against Portugal on penalties, and Mbappe said he had asked to be substituted.
On Sunday, speaking on French television show Téléfoot, Deschamps reminded those who criticise Mbappé of what he has already achieved in the sport.
“Don't you think he's already made enough history with what he's done so far?” the coach asked. “He wants to make even more history.”
“We did everything we could with him, with the medical staff, to get him here. During the preparation, he also had a small problem with his back, but Kylian is here.”
Deschamps also responded to suggestions that if he is not fully fit, Mbappe could be benched to try and revive the team's faltering attack.
The striker has been forced to play most of the tournament wearing a mask after breaking his nose in a collision with Kevin Danso in his team's opening group game against Austria.
“Even though I'm not 100% fit, I know very well that for the opponent, knowing that I'm playing makes them think and forces them to adapt,” said Deschamps.
Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick in his side's defeat in the 2022 World Cup final and a fourth goal in their victory in the 2018 World Cup final, also has the support of teammates Randal Kolo Muani and Youssouf Fofana, who spoke at the team's press conference on Sunday.
“Kylian is the player who scored three penalties in a World Cup final,” said Fofana. “I don't know many players who have achieved this feat. I only know one.”
“Whether it's him or a player like Antoine [Griezmann] “The vice-captain has done things that most of the players in the dressing room have not done. When they speak, we listen.”
Kolo Muani added: “He [Mbappé] “He has the gift of leading a group. He has a lot of experience… I think he was born to lead a group.”
France will face Spain in their semi-final on Tuesday in Munich.
