FIFA World Cup 2026: "You make him seem like dictator" Deschamps defends Mbappe after France seal quarterfinal berth
Philadelphia, July 5
France head coach Didier Deschamps came out in support of captain Kylian Mbappe following criticism over his leadership of the national team, saying the striker's public image does not reflect the person he is within the squad.
Speaking to reporters after France secured a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals, Deschamps dismissed suggestions that Mbappe had changed since taking over the captaincy.
"No, he hasn't changed. You make him seem like a dictator. Kylian has an image for some people on the outside that doesn't correspond at all to reality," Deschamps told reporters after the match in a video shared by news outlet LIBERTA DEPRE on X.
Deschamps also said his players were prepared for Paraguay's physical approach and praised captain Kylian Mbappe's leadership after Les Bleus edged past the South American side 1-0 to reach the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals, according to Reuters.
Reflecting on the fiercely contested Round of 16 encounter, Deschamps said his squad had anticipated the nature of the match and managed to remain disciplined throughout.
"I've seen a lot of things," Deschamps said, as quoted by Reuters.
"I have prepared the players. The players were expecting this game. I do not want to criticise Paraguay. Each team plays the way they want. But there were some insults from the other bench which I could have done without," he added.
"The most important thing is that by the end of the game, there were no disagreements and that we (did not) get another card," he said.
France booked a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the Round of 16 at Lincoln Financial Field, thanks to Kylian Mbappe's second-half penalty.
Despite dominating possession, Les Bleus found it difficult to break down Paraguay's disciplined defence, with the South Americans frustrating Didier Deschamps' side throughout the opening half.
The match became only the third FIFA World Cup knockout fixture since 1966 to reach halftime without a single shot on target, while tensions flared following a challenge on Mbappe that sparked a mass confrontation.
France finally broke the deadlock in the 66th minute after Desire Doue won a penalty, which Mbappe converted calmly. Paraguay pressed for an equaliser until the final whistle, but France held firm to secure victory and set up a quarterfinal clash with Morocco.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Ah, the classic "he's different behind closed doors" defense—we've heard it a million times in sports. But let's be real, Mbappe's ego has been evident for years. He's an incredible player, no doubt, but leadership is about more than just penalties. That said, credit to France for grinding out a 1-0 win. Paraguay really made them earn it!
I’m a big fan of Mbappe, but I can see why people question his temperament. He’s young, incredibly talented, and sometimes that combination leads to arrogance. However, Deschamps knows the team better than any of us, so if he says Mbappe is a good captain, I’ll trust the coach. Also, that game was tense—Paraguay really tested France! As an Indian, I love watching underdogs fight hard like that. 🇮🇳
Deschamps calling out the media for painting Mbappe as a dictator is fair. The pundits love to create narratives, especially about star players. But the real story here is how France struggled against a disciplined Paraguay side—no shots on target in the first half? That's not great for a World Cup favorite. Still, a win is a win, and now they face Morocco. Could be a tricky game ahead!
I appreciate Deschamps defending his captain, but the "dictator" label doesn’t come from nowhere—Mbappe has had his moments of petulance on the pitch. That said, his penalty was ice-cold, and he deserves credit for stepping up under pressure. India may not be in the World Cup, but these games are still thrilling to watch. Hope France can go all the way! 🌟
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