PARIS.- “I am calmer in Madrid“that in Paristhanks to “a different framework of life”, admitted the star of the real Madrid and the French team, Kylian Mbappéthis Thursday at a press conference prior to the World Cup qualifying match against Azerbaijan.
“I have adapted well to Madrid. It is not an attack against France, but it is true that I am calmer there. In Madrid, the living environment is different. It is less ‘speed’ (fast) than in Paris,” he explained.
Also on a sporting level, the Frenchman is in a good moment with his club.
“I have managed to score goals. But I think that even in the game I am also in a good mood, although I think I can still do better.”
“But we have to continue. Because this is just the beginning of the season,” warned the current number 10 of the Blues.
“When you look at those players who have worn this number, they are players who have marked different generations, Platini, Zizou (Zidane). I try to mark my generation; it is a significant number in the history of the French team, although I do not correspond to that profile of playmaker.”
The forward has been suffering from ankle discomfort since his last game with Real Madrid, but that will not prevent him from playing for France in Friday’s game in Paris: “The coach wants him to play. I think there will be no problem.”
“You have to adapt to the new generation”
French coach Didier Deschamps admitted in an interview with AFP that he has had to learn to adapt to the generation of young players instead of imposing his ideas, to avoid becoming an “old idiot.”
The 56-year-old coach, winner of the 1998 World Cup as a footballer and as coach of the 2018 World Cup, has already announced that he will leave the position after the 2026 World Cup, marking his 12th year in office.
In this time, Deschamps has seen an evolution in the behavior and temperament of young players.
“The players are more sure of themselves, they have more confidence,” he told AFP ahead of World Cup qualifying matches against Azerbaijan on Friday and Iceland on Monday.
