Politics, nose, team composition, understanding with Marcus Thuram… Kylian Mbappé covered many subjects at a press conference on the eve of the Euro round of 16 against Belgium, Monday at 6 p.m. in Düsseldorf.
Following this clash with Danso during France-Austria, did you think that your Euro was over?
KYLIAN MBAPPÉ. At the time, I didn’t think about much, I didn’t know what was happening to me, I didn’t feel it breaking, it was when I saw the goalkeeper’s head. When I went into the locker room, when I saw everything that was happening around me, when I saw myself in the mirror, I told myself that I was going to go home. But I’m here, there were lots of appointments, information, I spent almost two days without sleeping. It was difficult to stay on the bench against the Netherlands. Thank God, I was able to play against Poland.
Why don’t you score and what can the 4-4-2 diamond bring you?
Sorry, I thought there would be a bit more nuance. We don’t take the chances we create, I go straight to the point too. From my experience, it must not stay in the heads of the guys. The most important thing is to create opportunities, of course you have to take them. No one showed up in front of the goalkeeper thinking they were going to miss. It’s clear that it was problematic in the group stage, we mustn’t hide it. But another competition is beginning. In the group, I don’t feel any doubt. There was a realization that not finishing first woke up a lot of people. The 4-4-2 diamond, where does that come from? I can also talk about a 3-5-2. I don’t know what the coach has prepared for us, we’ll have to ask him. Sorry.
Against Poland, Lewandowski didn’t spare you. Are you afraid that the Belgians will play on that side?
It’s possible. From the moment you play with a broken nose, without having had an operation, you become a target even if I think Lewandowski didn’t do it on purpose. I had an instinctive reaction, under the effect of the pain? Unfortunately, a lot of children are watching so we’ll have to try to control these reactions. I knew what I was getting into when I decided not to have an operation. This is not a new situation. I’m going to receive blows. I’m ready to give everything to try to help France, if my nose has to be touched to get to the quarter-finals. It’s already broken, it’s not going to break any more.
In 2018 and 2022, France revealed itself in the second phase, do you need this pressure?
Every time we didn’t wake up, we went home. In knockout matches, we don’t have the choice to show the best possible face. Nobody wants to go home. We are ready, we know it will be very difficult, but we have the group to take on this kind of challenge.
What is Belgium worth and should we forget the memories of your victories against it in 2018 and 2021?
They lost against Slovakia but it was a first group match. We didn’t beat the Netherlands or Poland, they too can say that there are things to scratch. It’s a team that has lost important players, but a new generation has arrived. There are still great players, it’s a very good team. We can’t wait to play against them. When you win you forget more easily, they won’t forget them. But we’re not going to start the match with 1-0 because we won in 2018 and in 2022. It’s valid to get people talking beforehand, but on the pitch no one will think about that. From 2018, there aren’t many players left in both teams.
Are you in the Real Madrid WhatsApp group and have you asked Thibaut Courtois for advice?
I’m not in the Real Madrid WhatsApp group yet, it shouldn’t be long now. I haven’t spoken with Thibaut yet, who I know a little. But it’s better that he’s not here, with him it would have been harder.
Will this clash against Danso vaccinate your heads?
I’m vaccinated against heads, I’m not going to lie to you, I haven’t put one since I broke my nose. After if I have to put one to score, I’ll put it. The nose is already broken, I’m not risking anything worse. But we have to score, we don’t doubt it, but we’re going to have to put them.
How do you experience playing with a mask?
Playing with a mask is an absolute horror. I changed my mask because every time something went wrong. It limits vision, the sweat gets stuck, you have to take it off so it flows. I felt like I was in 3D and that I was invited to the Euro as a VIP. I felt like I wasn’t the one playing. I have no choice, but as soon as I can, I’ll take it off. It’s annoying, I’ve changed masks 5 times and still there weren’t all the photos, I changed even more. My competition will be like that, but in no case will it be an excuse, I have to say thank you to the mask.
Is the election always more important than tomorrow’s match?
It depends on your questions. It doesn’t change. We’re waiting for the results at 8pm. I’ll log in as soon as I finish. We’ll see what happens. There’s the 7th too, I hope it goes well for us.
We have the impression that since Russia, you have lost a little explosiveness.
Every player evolves. I prepared my body to play fuller seasons. The pace of the matches, with Real Madrid we will potentially play 7 competitions. When you win somewhere, you lose somewhere else. It’s a calculation. When you are younger, you are fresher, even if I am still young. Next season I will have time to do a big preparation with my team to be efficient all season.
What is the status of the joint statement on the political situation in France?
Quite a few things were delayed, like my fracture. The match results didn’t help. But we’re going to have to do something, we’re going to get together with the guys to see. We said we were going to do something, but other elements interfered with all that.
💬 Kylian Mbappé on a possible statement on the political situation in France: “We’re going to have to do something, we’re going to meet with the guys”#FRABEL pic.twitter.com/5bC4opVMYf
— THE TEAM (@lequipe) June 30, 2024
What do you think about your association with Marcus Thuram?
It’s not up to him to adapt to him, it’s up to me, I’m capable of doing it. The goal is to put the attackers who play in the best conditions. I have to help him, watch his movements, watch what he likes. I’ve known him well, for a long time, it’s a little easier to discover what he likes, even if he has a new profile since he arrived at Inter. It’s up to me to adjust based on what he does.
What memories do you have of the match of Samuel Umtiti, who sacrificed his knee for the France team in 2018?
Everyone knew that he was playing with an injury in the team. Nobody forgot. Thanks to him and his performances we went to the final. I want to say thank you to him. After that, he had some difficult years. I know the sacrifices he made for us.
