Kylian Mbappe has only one thing on his mind despite uncertain France future

17 June 2024 , 06:00

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As France faces an uncertain future after president Emmanuel Macron’s call for a snap election, the future of Les Bleus has never been more certain.

This is Kylian Mbappe’s team now.

At 25, the man widely considered to be the best player on the planet is now comfortable in his role as captain, his long-protracted move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid is finally done and dusted, and at Euro 2024, he has only one goal: “I want to win the Euros.”

After long-time leader Hugo Lloris retired from international football in the wake of the 2022 World Cup, Didier Deschamps eschewed the likes of Antoine Griezmann to hand Mbappe the armband. Some, Griezmann in particular, weren’t overly happy.

But the move made sense. At PSG he had become the most powerful figure in French football. Arguably, more than Macron, with Mbappe able to turn the national conversation when he chooses to open up on a particular issue.

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A once rocky relationship with some of his team-mates - highlighted after their Euros failure against Switzerland in 2021, with Mbappe missing the crucial penalty in the last 16 shootout - has been smoothed over and in the years since, the team has increasingly been built to get the best out of its undoubted superstar.

Making him Lloris' successor was the right move at the right time.

Mbappe is the most powerful figure in French football, but has left PSG for Real Madrid (UEFA via Getty Images)

What is asked of Mbappe in return is that, in the big moments, when his country needs him, he steps up, just like he did In the World Cup Final in Qatar, becoming only the second man - after Geoff Hurst - to score a hat-trick in football’s biggest game.

He doesn’t however look back on that day with any particular fondness, Deschamps’ side having been denied successive triumphs by Lionel Messi and Argentina. The picture of Mbappe, with silver medal around his neck and Golden Boot in hand but disconsolate as the World Cup trophy stands behind him, says it all.

“Of course, we were hurt, to see that you’re close to something,” he admitted this week. “Close to the back-to-back. Something amazing.

“Everybody loved the game except for us. We didn’t like that, but it’s part of the game.”

Mbappe's Golden Boot in Qatar was scant consolation after missing out on the World Cup (AFP via Getty Images)

Mbappe arrived not at the peak of his powers, a knee injury being managed by medical staff and forcing him to sit out a couple of days training, but is expected to lead out the tournament favourites when they face Austria in Dusseldorf on Monday night.

“Don't worry, he will be ready for the first match,” insists Olivier Giroud, whose record of 57 France goals is being hungrily chased down by Mbappe - just 10 behind and with time on his side - and who has been one of a number of outspoken players on the upcoming French elections, urging the public to vote and have their say.

In Germany, with the deepest squad and Mbappe to the fore, France are favourites for a reason. Yet their recent form has been patchy, winning just two of their last five matches, suffering a surprise defeat to Germany in March and being involved in a dour goalless draw with Canada last week.

Nonetheless, this remains a squad that knows how to reach finals - three in the last four major tournaments - and who usually turn it on when it matters.