At 10:17 a. m. On Monday, June 9, 2025, Vietnam’s time, a new controversy shook French football after sensational statements by Zinedine Zidane. The iconic former player demanded that Didier Deschamps withdraw Kylian Mbappé the captain’s bracelet of France after the defeat last night against Germany in the match for the third place of the UEFA Nations League. Zidane, whose voice still has a considerable weight despite not having an official position, strongly criticized the young striker, stating: “He is too selfish and lacks a spirit of struggle.” This statement immediately caused a firm response from Deschamps, reviving the debate on the internal dynamics of Les Bleus.
Yesterday’s game at Stade in France ended with a 2-0 defeat against Germany, with goals from Kai Havertz and Leroy Sané. Mbappé, despite his efforts, failed to overcome the score. The 26 -year -old captain’s performance, recently transferred to Real Madrid, was considered disappointing, especially for his lack of coordination with his companions. Zidane, who has frequently praised Mbappé’s talent in the past, seems to have reached a critical point, believing that player’s selfishness is harming the team spirit. This criticism comes at a time when Les Bleus have struggled to recover their ancient glory since their triumph in the 2020 Eurocup.
Deschamps’ response was swift. During the morning press conference, the coach defended his player with resounding authority: “Kylian is still our leader, and I decide who the captain will be.” These words intended to reaffirm Deschamps control over the team, while rejected Zidane’s interference. However, it is likely that the tension between the two French legends, already palpable for years, intensifies, especially if the equipment performance does not improve the 2026 World Cup here.
The fans are divided. In social networks, the #Zidanevsdeschamps and #mbappécapitaine labels dominate trends, with thousands of comments. Some support Zidane, highlighting Mbappé’s individualism, especially evident in his inability to create occasions yesterday. Others defend prodigy, highlighting their 40 goals in 77 games and their key role in past successes. The signing of Mbappé for Real Madrid also feeds speculation about its commitment to Les Bleus.
This issue arrives at a delicate time for the French team, which must now focus on the World Cup classification. Deschamps must carefully manage this internal crisis to preserve the unit, while Zidane’s influence continues to weigh on Mbappé’s future as captain. Could this dispute mark a turning point in Mbappé’s career or, on the contrary, motivate him to recover? The next few days will bring us some more clarity, but for now, Les Bleus are going through a period of uncertainty.
