"Is it because he signed for Real Madrid?" - Frank Leboeuf delivers worrying assessment on Kylian Mbappe after poor Euro 2024 display
Former French footballer Frank Leboeuf delivered an alarming evaluation of Kylian Mbappe's under-par performances at EURO 2024 after France's elimination from the competition. Didier Deschamps' side was knocked out of the tournament after losing 2-1 to Spain in the semi-final on July 9.
Mbappe's tournament began on a sour note, picking up a nose injury after a collision with Austrian defender Kevin Danso in France's opener. He wore a mask for the next few games, which Deschamps claimed was an 'inconvenience.'
He ended the tournament with a goal and two assists in five games. His goal came from the penalty spot against Poland, and his assist was for Randal Kolo Muani's opener against Spain in the semi-final. Outside of those two moments, the new Real Madrid recruit looked largely uninvolved throughout the tournament.
Leboeuf commented on the forward's inability to inspire his side like he had done at previous tournaments. On ESPN's YouTube channel, the 56-year-old said:
“He’s going to be hammered (by the fans) because they have the right to be disappointed. He only scored one goal and had one assist. It’s not enough for Mbappe. We put him on such a high pedestal and think that maybe he is the best player in his position in the world but you have to prove it."
“Even before his injury, he’s been struggling for 2-3 months. Is it because he signed for Real Madrid? Hopefully for him, in Madrid it’s going to be better than this. There is a concern about him. Mbappe wasn’t good," Leboeuf added.
"Some players don't do simple things" - Ex-France international Frank Leboeuf gives scathing verdict on current French side
Former France international Frank Leboeuf gave a scathing verdict on Les Bleus' exit from EURO 2024 after a 2-1 loss against Spain in the semi-final.
Superstar forward Kylian Mbappe set up Randal Kolo Muani for the game's opening goal in the eighth minute. However, the French defense shockingly collapsed, conceding two goals in five minutes to Lamine Yamal (21') and midfielder Dani Olmo (25').
The ex-Chelsea defender said that Didier Deschamps' side was unable to execute the basics of football, which eventually led to their downfall. On a post-match show on ESPN's YouTube channel, he said:
"I think as a French former player, I can say that some players don't do simple things, and simple things are the hardest stuff to do in football... I think so many players in the team weren't at the level we were expecting them to be, they were much below."
Leboeuf also noted that the France manager got it slightly wrong with his team selection and substitutions in the game, adding:
"I think Deschamps must be responsible for the selection that he made. We have to judge him overall, in his whole career he did well, but he missed the spot at some point with his choices... It is what it is, it is football."
Netherlands and England are set to compete next in the EURO semifinals. The winner will face Spain for the championship.