France captain Kylian Mbappe has struggled and is not in good form at Euro 2024. He has scored just one goal from 11 yards. As France prepare for their Euro 2024 semi-final against Spain, Adrien Rabiot has criticised his captain. Adrien Rabiot has once again angered Kylian Mbappe after admitting his disappointment with Mbappe’s performance at Euro 2024, the Mirror (UK) reported today (July 9).
Mbappe is considered one of the best players in the world, but he has struggled to perform at a high level at Euro 2024. Mbappe suffered a broken nose in the opening match of Euro 2024, where France beat Austria 1-0 and has only scored one goal so far, which was a penalty against Poland.
This is the first major tournament that Mbappe has led Les Bleus as captain, having taken over from goalkeeper Hugo Lloris after the 2022 World Cup. But he has failed to inspire the French team, with France scoring just three goals at Euro 2024, including one of their opponents’ own goals.
France have, however, reached the semi-finals of Euro 2024 and will face Spain at 2am tomorrow (July 10) for a place in the final against England or the Netherlands. Rabiot believes Mbappe and star Antoine Griezmann must improve their goalscoring form if France are to overcome La Roja.
Adrien Rabiot said: “It was a team spirit match and even though they had some difficulties, we still reached the semi-finals of Euro 2024. Team spirit is very important and the victory of the whole team is more important than an individual victory.
Rabiot criticised Mbappe for not being fit ahead of the Euro 2024 semi-finals . PHOTO: GETTY
As for Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann, their legs may not be as strong as they could be, but we support them 100%. We have blind faith in them. They are players who can change the outcome of the match at any moment.
When you have captain Mbappé or Griezmann who are going through a difficult period, it doesn’t matter, we are there to support them. But obviously, it would be easier if Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann were at their peak, but that hasn’t happened so far.”
Speaking further about Griezmann, Rabiot commented: “I think everyone is surprised because we know what Griezmann is capable of. We saw what Griezmann did in the last World Cup when he was probably at his peak.
I don’t know how to explain this period, maybe physically, Griezmann was not in good shape. Obviously we expect a lot from Griezmann because he is capable of contributing more. But could we have won without the great Griezmann? We have a top team.”
Mbappe is not in shape for Euro 2024. PHOTO: GETTY
Rabiot’s comments risk rekindling the rift between his family and Mbappe’s parents as France crash out of Euro 2020. Les Bleus faced Switzerland in the last 16 of Euro 2020, with France leading Switzerland. They trailed 3-1 with nine minutes remaining but were level at 3-3 before the two teams went to penalties.
Mbappe took a penalty that was saved by Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer, forcing France to exit Euro 2020 in bitterness. While the French players were disappointed on the pitch, in the stands, Rabiot’s mother, Veronique, criticized Mbappe’s father.
The video circulating on social media at the time clearly showed Rabiot’s mother and Mbappe’s father speaking harshly to each other. French media reported that Véronique said Mbappe was too arrogant and asked Mbappe’s father to talk to him. After that, Rabiot tried to reduce the conflict between the two families, but Mbappe was not happy when Rabiot called him out publicly.
