Kylian Mbappe has been told he was booed by France fans against Belgium because they are "bored" with the national team.
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France had a poor start to the Nations LeagueFans expressed disappointment before the Belgium matchMbappe & Deschamps targetedWHAT HAPPENED?
Despite France's eventual 2-0 win over Belgium, which saw goals from Randal Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembele, the evening was marred by brewing discontent among fans. The dissatisfaction was evident even before the game began at the Groupama Stadium, with fans expressing their frustration through whistles when the team lineup was announced.
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The boos were aimed at several figures, including Bradley Barcola, whose move from Lyon to Paris Saint-Germain had upset many OL supporters, and former Marseille player Matteo Guendouzi. However, the most notable targets were coach Deschamps and Mbappe.
The discontent surrounding Mbappe appears to be linked to his recent remarks and performance. In the lead-up to the match, Mbappe made headlines with his comments about fan reactions being "the least of [his] worries". This statement did not sit well with the French fans, potentially exacerbating the criticism directed at him.
WHAT DANIEL RIOLO SAID
journalist Daniel Riolo suggested that the boos were indicative of the broader dissatisfaction with the French team’s current state. He argued that under Deschamps the team has stagnated while a misfiring Mbappe symbolises the widespread "disillusionment" of the side.
"They embody this lack of love," Riolo said on "Deschamps embodies the fact that we are bored when we watch the French team, and Mbappe embodies a bit of the disillusionment with this player, his character, everything that has happened over the last year, everything he represents in this football that is going backwards and is no longer popular.
"The two are linked. Mbappe has been saving Deschamps' back all the time since the 2022 World Cup. Today Mbappe is mediocre, the French team is not good and even tonight we will have to highlight at least his reaction of pride which is interesting given the context, and there is a Deschamps who finds himself with a team to rebuild."
DID YOU KNOW?
Mbappe is indeed going through a lean patch of form and has failed to find the net in his last five appearances for Les Bleus. His last goal from open play with the French team came seven matches ago, in a Euro 2024 preparation match against Luxembourg. Despite what is a barren run by the Real Madrid star's own high standards, Deschamps is not worried about Mbappe’s form.
“I am not at all worried and I have never been. We are a bit too focused on him," Deschamps told "The France national team will always be stronger with him. I am convinced that in a month, he will be better. I’m not worried about Kylian in any case."