France head coach Didier Deschamps has mounted a strong public defense of captain Kylian Mbappé. Speaking as the team prepares for the FIFA World Cup, Deschamps called Mbappé a 'real leader' and dismissed criticism of the forward's commitment as disconnected from reality.
Deschamps emphasized that Mbappé, who inherited the captaincy after a generational turnover following the 2022 World Cup, is a mature presence who actively mentors younger squad members. The coach stated that younger players 'adore' the star forward.
This defense is part of a broader strategy. Deschamps, who has coached France since 2012 and led the team to the 2018 World Cup title, plans to step down after the 2026 tournament. His public backing aims to cement Mbappé's authority before the next coaching era begins.