Deschamps Refutes Claims of Mbappé’s Arrogance
France manager Didier Deschamps has dismissed claims that Kylian Mbappé acts like a dictator within the national team, insisting that the striker’s public image does not reflect reality.
Mbappé was once again decisive for Les Bleus, scoring his seventh goal of the 2026 World Cup in France’s 1-0 victory over Paraguay.
His composed penalty sent goalkeeper Orlando Gill the wrong way and secured France’s passage to the quarter-finals.
The Real Madrid forward currently leads the Golden Boot race, ahead of Lionel Messi and Harry Kane, and has reaffirmed his status as the team’s talisman.
Despite criticism from some fans who accuse him of arrogance, Deschamps strongly defended his captain.
‘You guys make Kylian Mbappé seem like a dictator… the reality is the opposite,’ Deschamps said.
‘His public image does not reflect reality at all. Kylian has always been mature and the whole team follows him. I am so happy to have Kylian as captain. Whenever he speaks on and off the pitch, he represents the whole group.’
France will now face Morocco in the quarter-finals, a rematch of their 2022 semi-final in Qatar. Mbappé is expected to play a pivotal role once again as he leads the French side in pursuit of another World Cup final appearance.
