DIDIER DESCHAMPS took aim at Kylian Mbappe during a World Cup team meeting… in 2018.
Four years ago in Russia, Les Bleus ended their 20-year drought – coming through tough tests against Argentina, Belgium and Croatia in the final.
Kylian Mbappe was a crucial member of the side, scoring four goals on their road to glory and winning the Fifa Young Player award.
Despite the performances of the PSG star, he still needed Deschamps to keep him grounded – as shown in never-before-seen footage of one of their team meetings.
Deschamps told the side: “The sprints, they did twice as many and travelled twice the distance.
“On our side, Kylian did the least. Three per cent. Yet speed is your quality.
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“I’m not saying you, I’m saying we, I’m including myself. I will protect each of you one by one, but you have to act.”
The French manager took charge of his national side in 2012, taking them to the Euro 2016 final as well as becoming world champions in 2018.
By winning the World Cup, he became only the third man to win the competition as both a player and a manager, joining Mario Zagallo with Brazil and Franz Beckenbauer for Germany in the achievement.
However, Deschamps, 54, will be relying on Mbappe this Sunday as France look to retain their title.
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A win over Argentina will make him only the second manager to guide their team to two World Cups as well as the third team to retain the World Cup.
Just like 2018, Mbappe has played an integral role in their campaign being the joint leader on the goal scoring charts with five, alongside his club team-mate-turned-opposition on Sunday, Lionel Messi.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
