Kylian Mbappe criticizes FFF President’s “disrespectful” remarks

• Noel Le Graet dismissed Zinedine Zidane as a possible successor.
• PSG forward calls his fellow World Cup winner a “legend” in response.
• Le Graet dismissed the former Real Madrid coach.

Kylian Mbappe criticized as “disrespectful” remarks made by the president of the French football federation (FFF) about former player Zinedine Zidane. The PSG superstar called his fellow World Cup winner a “legend” in his response.

“Zinedine Zidane, I wouldn’t have taken his phone call,” FFF president Noel Le Graet joked dismissively in a French radio interview when asked if Zidane had called to express interest in taking over as coach from Didier Deschamps.

Zidane c’est la France, on manque pas de respect à la légende comme ça… 🤦🏽‍♂️

— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) January 8, 2023

Deschamps’ contract expired following the World Cup in Qatar, where France lost to Argentina in a penalty shootout following a thrilling final on December 18.

Deschamps, on the other hand, signed a new contract until the 2026 World Cup on Saturday.

When asked if Zidane, who won the 1998 World Cup with Deschamps and was a runner-up in 2006, had called him recently, Le Graet dismissed the former Real Madrid coach as a potential candidate.

“I wouldn’t have taken his call,” Le Graet admitted. “What are you going to tell him? ‘Hello sir, don’t worry, I just agreed a contract with Didier,’ he says.”

Mbappe, who won the 2018 World Cup with France and finished second in Qatar, took issue with Le Graet’s tone.

“We don’t disrespect the legend like that in France,” the Paris Saint-Germain forward wrote on Twitter.

Le Graet, the FFF’s president, also responded curtly to reports of Zidane’s interest in coaching Brazil.

“I’d be surprised if he went there,” he said.

“I don’t mind if he does what he wants. I’ve never met him, and we’ve never thought about parting ways with Didier Deschamps.

“He can go wherever he wants, including to a club, of which he has unlimited access in Europe. On a national level, I find it difficult to believe.”

Zidane left Real Madrid last year after winning two La Liga titles and three Champions League titles in a row as manager of the Spanish club.

French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera later on Sunday demanded an apology from Le Graet for his comments which she said showed “a shameful lack of respect”.

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