Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni recently stood up for his Real Madrid teammate Kylian Mbappe following criticism about his presence in Stockholm while France was playing Israel in Hungary.
The French striker, who has faced plenty of attention on and off the pitch, became a topic of discussion after being spotted away from the match.
Tchouameni, who has now been given the captain’s armband for the French national team, addressed the situation during a press conference ahead of their game against Belgium.
Too much focus on Mbappe
He dismissed the incident, stating that too much focus is often placed on Mbappe, and reassured everyone that the team is excited about his return to the squad.
“I think we are giving too much importance to the Mbappe thing. Everyone can think what they want, but we know that every time it is about Kylian it is exaggerated,” he said.
Tchouameni made it clear that Mbappe ’s commitment to the French national team should not be questioned. According to him, Mbappe’s love for the team is evident, and his temporary absence has been blown out of proportion.
“We talk about him after the game, before the game, so it doesn’t matter where he watched the game, it’s not our problem. Mbappe’s love for the French national team is unquestionable.”
The midfielder emphasised that, regardless of where Mbappe watched the match, it should not be turned into a major issue.
He noted that the forward was actively staying in touch with the players, asking how they were doing during the game, and showing that his support was still very much there.
“He sent messages to all the players asking how things were going. We are looking forward to him coming back,” he noted.
Deschamps’ take on the same
Head coach Didier Deschamps also addressed the media regarding the situation. He spoke about the importance of respecting Mbappe’s personal life, highlighting that the player has the right to spend his free time as he chooses.
“He is not here! From a private point of view, he does what he wants. Everyone will have their own perception.”
He clarified that Mbappe ’s presence in Stockholm was not a matter of neglect or lack of professionalism, but simply a decision that aligned with his club’s schedule.
He pointed out that privacy often becomes a challenge for high-profile players like Mbappe, but urged the media and fans to remember that athletes, too, deserve space outside of their public roles.
“If he was where he was, it was because his club had not deprived him of it. I am not defending him for the sake of defending him.
“His problem is that his private life is not private. It is not your case because it is often convenient for you,” he said.
Source: AS