Last Update: January 09, 2023, 07:44 AM IST
Zinedine Zidane left Real Madrid after winning two La Liga titles and three Champions League titles. (AFP photo)
FFF President Noel Le Graet also gave a befitting reply to reports of Zinedine Zidane’s interest in coaching the Brazil team.
Kylian Mbappe on Sunday blasted the head of the French Football Federation (FFF) over what he called “derogatory” comments made about former international Zinedine Zidane, describing the PSG superstar as his teammate. World Cup winner as a “legend”.
FFF president Noel Le Graet said in an interview on French radio, “Zinedine Zidane, I would not have even picked up his phone on the phone.” ,
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Deschamps’ contract expired after the World Cup in Qatar, where defending champions France lost to Argentina in a penalty shootout after a thrilling final on 18 December.
However, Deschamps on Saturday signed a new deal until the 2026 World Cup.
Asked whether Zidane, who won the 1998 World Cup as a player with Deschamps and was runner-up in 2006, had called him up in recent times, Le Graet named the former Real Madrid coach as a possible candidate. Rejected.
Le Graet said, “I might not have even picked up his phone.”
However, Mbappe, who won the 2018 World Cup with France and finished runner-up in Qatar, objected to Le Grete’s tone.
“Zidane is France, we don’t disrespect a veteran like that…” the Paris Saint-Germain forward wrote on Twitter.
The 81-year-old FFF boss Le Graet also hit back at reports of Zidane’s interest in coaching the Brazil team.
“I would be surprised if he left,” he said.
“He does what he wants, it doesn’t concern me. I have never met him and we have never considered separating from Didier Deschamps.
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“He can go wherever he wants, at one club, he’ll have as many big clubs as he wants in Europe. A national side, as far as I’m concerned, I hardly believe in it.”
Zidane left Real Madrid last year having won two La Liga titles and three consecutive Champions League titles as manager of the Spanish club.
French sports minister Amélie Odia-Castera later on Sunday demanded an apology from Le Grete for his comments, which she said showed a “shameful lack of respect”.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)