Kylian Mbappe was in red-hot form during France’s international friendly fixture against Luxembourg. The former Paris Saint-Germain footballer registered two assists and one goal to guide France to an emphatic 3-0 win on Thursday.
Mbappe’s on-field brilliance, with just a week left for the Euro 2024, did please French football fans but former PSG winger Jerome Rothen had a totally different take on this. Rothen, who represented Les Bleus 13 times, felt that the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner did not showcase the same level of commitment and spirit throughout the season with PSG. During an interaction with RMC Sport, Rothen even pointed out a potential disconnect between Mbappe and PSG fans and his team-mates during the final phase of his stint with the Parisians
“Everything we saw yesterday, it is everything we haven’t seen throughout the season at PSG. The smile and the communion with the supporters, the very essence of football. For five months, when Kylian does not make enough effort, it is not a problem of the coach, of the leaders, of the president, of the supporters. It is just a problem of respect. When you put yourself in the category of the best players in the world, you have to have the attitude that goes with it. You have to fight for your teammates, for your country, for your club,” said Rothen.
“I think he betrayed us. Throughout the season it was catastrophic from start to finish in terms of images and communication. I’m really angry with him because when I see him in the French team with the banana, it’s not possible,” the French footballer added.
PSG’s record goalscorer (256 strikes in 308 appearances), Mbappe ended his association with the French giants and completed his move to Real Madrid this summer. PSG had refused to include Mbappe in the first team during the 2022-23 pre-season after the French superstar declined to agree to a new contract. The situation changed later in August after his reinstatement in the team. But Mbappe was taken off in crucial matches during the final phase of the campaign.
Mbappe completed a free transfer to Real Madrid signing a five-year deal. The 25-year-old will arrive at the Santiago Bernabeu having reportedly signed a contract worth €15 million (£12.8 million) a year, after tax. Mbappe joined Los Blancos just two days after they won their 15th Champions League title beating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the final. With a triumph in the La Liga, Carlo Ancelotti’s men succeeded in clinching a double.
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