VIDEO. “Kylian Mbappé is against extremes, against ideas that divide,” says the captain of the France team

Kylian Mbappé addressed the future legislative elections. Screenshot

Like Marcus Thuram the day before, the captain of the French team took a clear position against the National Rally, without naming it, and called for people to vote, particularly young people, during the press conference on Sunday 16th. June, before the first Euro match.

Do you have a message to convey regarding the situation in the country after the FFF published a press release on Saturday ?

I heard about this press release. We are at a crucial moment in the history of our country. You have to know how to sort things out and have a sense of priorities. The Euro has a very important place in our careers but we are citizens above all. We must not be disconnected from the world around us, even less when it concerns our country. We know that we are in a very important moment in the history of our country, an unprecedented situation. This is why I want to address the French people and especially the younger generation.

We are a generation that can make a difference. The extremes are at the gates of power. We have the opportunity to choose the future of our country. This is why I call on young people to vote, to become aware of the importance of the situation. I hope that my voice will carry as much as possible because we need to identify with the country, with its values, diversity, tolerance, respect. It’s undeniable.

I trust all French people. I know that a lot of young people say to themselves that one vote is not going to change anything. On the contrary, every voice counts. This is not to be neglected. I really hope that we will make the right choice and that we will still be proud to wear this jersey on July 7 (July, date of the second round of the legislative elections, Editor's note).

💬 Kylian Mbappé : « Je suis contre les extrêmes, contre les idées qui divisent. » pic.twitter.com/DN3sxtDuP0

— L'ÉQUIPE (@lequipe) June 16, 2024

Marcus Thuram went very far, calling for a barrier to the RN. Do you follow him ?

I share the same values ​​as Marcus. I was talking about the values ​​of diversity, tolerance, respect. Of course I'm with him. He didn’t go too far. We are still in a country where there is freedom of expression. He gave his opinion. I side with him.

"I don’represent a country that does not correspond to my values, to our values"

Could there be any impact on the group's concentration ? How to manage ?

You journalists have often been criticized for things, rightly and wrongly. You have a sense of priorities. Tomorrow's match is very important, I've said that often. But there is a much more important situation. It doesn't change the fact that we are very focused on tomorrow's match. We prepared for it as best we could. It's up to me as captain to remobilize the troops but also not to be disconnected from the world. We will be there to defend the colors of our country tomorrow. But one does not prevent the other. It's a different situation. But we are great players, we have to adapt. That's what we get paid for.

Did you talk about Marcus Thuram speaking before ? Have you planned something concrete to convey your message ?

As a team, we thought about doing something, but also protecting the competition, without being indifferent to the situation. We thought a lot about what we could do, about the message. It’s important for us, we’re going to do it as a team, which also helps protect the youngest. It’s not that they can’ express themselves, it’s difficult to come here and express themselves in front of all the journalists, to give a position on an area that’ ;rsquo;they do not necessarily master it. But no one cares about that on the team. Now, some are more comfortable. The goal is to protect the team. I think we're going to do something very soon.

Is today Kylian Mbappé calling for people not to vote for the National Rally?

Kylian Mbappé is against extremes, against ideas that divide. We have the opportunity to choose the future of our country. This is a very important task. I think that many young people are unconsciously unaware of this. When we see the abstention rate everywhere, that’s why I’m trying to give my voice. I was in this situation when I was younger, thinking that my voice would not change anything. Yes, the importance and urgency of the situation means that it is only today. I want to be proud to wear this jersey, and I don’t want to represent a country that does not correspond to my values, to our values. I think and hope that we are all in the same situation. You don't have to hide. They say that you should not mix football and politics. That's true when it concerns trifles. ? That's very important, more than tomorrow's match. I hope that no one will blame me because the country is in a very important situation. These ideas divide, I am against division.