Kylian Mbappe doesn’t kick political football to touch ahead of French election: ‘We cannot let our country fall into the hands of these people.’

Macdara Ferris reports from Hamburg

Around the streets of Germany, the signs of the Euros are there for all to see. Shop displays with the flags of Europe, fans wearing jerseys of the competing nations with Portuguese and French colours visible in Hamburg ahead of their quarter-final on Friday. There can also still be seen signs on the streets of the European election with posters still hanging up on some lampposts.

The media in France is busy with two major stories this weekend – the football team in Europe and the run-off election back home. The stories combined today in Hamburg when Kylian Mbappe spoke at the pre-match press conference in the Volksparkstadion.

He faced questions about the form of Antoine Griezmann, coming up against Cristiano Ronaldo and also how he feels about the legislative election back home.

Marine Le Pen’s far right National Rally party gained approximately a third of the vote in last week’s initial ballot and the second crucial round is taking place this coming Sunday. Mbappe was, as he has been in the past, forthright about his opinion. 

“It is an urgent situation,” said Mbappe about the vote this weekend. “We cannot let our country fall into the hands of these people. It is pressing. 

“We saw the results and it is catastrophic. We really hope that this is going to change and that everyone will rally together and go and vote for the right [correct] people.”

From his quotes most likely to be front page in La Figaro or Le Monde, the questions turned to answers which will likely be front page of L'Équipe – matters moved to right wing and left wing on the pitch rather than right wing or left wing in the ballot box.

Ronaldo

Much of the build-up to Friday’s match has been about Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo. The French captain is following the route that Ronaldo made earlier in his career to Real Madrid and the 25-year-old spoke in glowing terms about the 39-year-old Ronaldo.

“It is an honour,” said Mbappe about coming up against Ronaldo on Friday. “Everyone knows how much I admire Cristiano Ronaldo as a player. I have been lucky to get to know him as a person. He is a footballing legend.

“I like to admire the great player that he is. He has shaped football and inspired generations. His CV speaks for itself. 

“He is one of a kind. There is only one Cristiano Ronaldo. I am following my own path. My dream of playing for Real Madrid is becoming a reality. I hope to be one of a kind at Real Madrid. I can only sing his praises.

“When you are playing a team like Portugal, it is dangerous to say that one player is dangerous. It isn’t about focusing on one player. If you overlook those other players, you can pay a heavy price.”

Mbappe also hit back a criticism in the media from back home about the form of French vice captain Antoine Griezmann. 

“Antoine has been in the firing line recently and that is unfair especially as the criticism is coming from France. He is a player who had given a lot in the nation team. I don’t like the media opinion. He is one of the best players in modern French football.”

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