2026-07-10 10:42:04
Kylian Mbappe has played down concerns about a potential ankle injury.
The France forward was substituted after scoring his eighth goal of the World Cup in Les Bleus’ 2-0 quarter-final win over Morocco in Boston on Thursday (09.07.26) but has stressed that it is nothing to be worried about.
Mbappe said post-match: “I’m all good. I got a knock on the ankle, but it’s all good. JP [Mateta] was more able than me to play the last 15 minutes.”
France have now reached the semi-finals for a third consecutive World Cup and the Real Madrid star says the team will be ready for their last four tie against either Spain or Belgium – who meet in Los Angeles on Friday (10.07.26).
Mbappe said: “We are very happy. We are aware that there is only one way to relax, it’s to win. But we still have a long way. We know that what is coming next will be even harder but we are ready for face anything.
“We will recover nicely and watch the game to see who we will face.”
Mbappe recovered from missing a penalty in the first half to break Morocco’s resistance with the opening goal and Les Bleus coach Didier Deschamps hailed the “exemplary” attitude of his captain.
He said: “It was tough today with the penalty, all the chances we didn’t take.
“But when it’s Kylian, there’s no problem, he never hesitates – even though he’d already missed a chance. Many people say that Kylian is a dictator, that he only thinks of himself. But he’s the captain and he’s exemplary.”
Deschamps also saluted the mentality of his players as they again showcased why they are favourites to lift the trophy.
He said: “My credit goes to the players but maybe I do my job well.
“This is a human venture we are sharing. The only truth is the one on the pitch but the human aspect is extremely important. It’s not copy and paste. It’s never the same situation or conditions. The most important thing in my life has always been the jersey and it’s good to see this group feel the same way.”
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