Read 3 minutes5 Jul 2026 02:55 PM IST
France head coach Didier Deschamps has backed Kylian Mbappe as the captain faces scrutiny over his leadership style, saying the forward’s portrayal in the public eye is far from the reality in the dressing room.
Deschamps addressed criticism following France’s quarter-final qualification and brushed aside claims that Mbappe had been transformed by the captain’s armband.
“No, he hasn’t changed. You guys are making Kylian Mbappe look like a dictator… the reality is the opposite,” Deschamps told reporters after the match.
Deschamps addressed the growing chatter around Mbappe’s public persona, which has become the subject of social media memes portraying the 27-year-old as a different historical figure. This perception dates back to his PSG days, where he had a huge say in the club’s affairs – from hiring and firing managers to shaping the squad and influencing team dynamics.
“His public image doesn’t reflect reality at all. Kylian has always been mature and the whole team follows him. I’m very happy to captain Kylian. He represents the whole group when he speaks on and off the pitch,” said Deschamps.
Deschamps also said his players were ready for Paraguay’s physical approach and praised Kylian Mbappe’s leadership after France beat the South American side 1-0 to reach the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals.
Reflecting on what was a tight round of 16 encounter, Deschamps said his team had anticipated the nature of the match and managed to remain disciplined throughout.
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“I’ve seen a lot of things,” Deschamps said. “I prepared the players. They were expecting this game. I don’t want to criticize Paraguay. Every team plays the way they want. But there was some insult from the other bench that I could have done without.
“The most important thing is that at the end of the game, there were no disagreements and we didn’t pick up another card,” he added.
Unlike Deschamps, Mbappe has not held back from speaking out on the Paraguayan’s approach. The French captain explained that France is ready to adapt to any style of play, adding that the team can play “ugly” if necessary.
“We knew what kind of game we were in for,” Mbappe said after the match.
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“We have shown that we are not just a team that knows how to play attacking football,” he added. “If we want to get our hands dirty, we’ll do it. They probably thought we’d show up in a tuxedo, but we also know how to play rough. We win and we have a good side.”
France will face Morocco in the quarter-finals at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough.