On Sunday night, January 8, 2023, Paris Saint Germain forward Kylian Mbappe slammed French Football Federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet, for disrespecting former national team skipper Zinedine Zidane.
Zidane was eyeing the French national team's managerial position but the federation recently decided to extend Didier Deschamps' contract.
Speaking to RMC Sports, Le Graet stated that he would not even contemplate having Zidane as the coach of Les Bleus.
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“I wouldn't even have taken him on the phone. I never met him and we never considered parting with Didier Deschamp,” stated the FFF president.
His comments led to a lot of backlash from both French footballers and political leaders.
Mbappe, who recently helped France reach the final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup staged in Qatar, was among the prominent figures not impressed by Le Graet’s comments.
In a social media post, the 24-year-old stated that Zidane should be cherished.
"Zidane is France, we don't disrespect the legend like that...," ended Mbappe.
Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, France's minister for sports also weighed in, asking Le Graet to apologise over the same.
“Statements again above ground with the added bonus this time of a shameful lack of respect, which offends us all, to a legend of football and sport: a "president" of the first sports federation in France should not say that.
“Apologies for this too much word about Zidane, please,” stated the ex-tennis player.
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