Kylian Mbappe finally reveals his World Cup media blackout was because he needs to avoid ‘wasting energy’ on the press… but insists HE will pay France’s fine for missed interviews
Kylian Mbappe has opened up on why he has failed to appear at several World Cup press conferences – and claimed he will pay the resulting fines to the French FA personally, as Les Bleus face a looming quarter-final date with England.
The France forward has been a standout performer at the Qatar tournament and finally spoke to the media after being named man-of-the-match due to a scintillating two-goal showing in their 3-1 win against Poland in their last-16 tie on Sunday.
Amid a media circus over his PSG future amid links to Real Madrid, Mbappe told RMC Sport his no-shows were because he wanted to remain totally focused on his team’s matches – and insisted he will step up and pay the federation’s fines himself.
Kylian Mbappe (above) has revealed why he missed several compulsory press conferences at the World Cup – and claimed he will personally pay the resulting fine given to the French FA
The France star spoke to the media after his country’s 3-1 last-16 win against Poland on Sunday
He said: ‘I know there were a lot of questions about why I wasn’t speaking. Already, for all the journalists who are there, it was nothing personal against the journalists, nothing against the people.
‘It was just that I always have this need to concentrate on my competition and when I want to concentrate on something, I need to do it at 100 per cent and not lose energy to something else. That’s why I didn’t want to present myself (to the press).
‘I learned recently that the Federation (French FA) was going to have a fine. I undertake to pay it personally, the Federation must not pay a decision which is personal.’
Mbappe is the competition’s top scorer with five, two clear of rivals in the Golden Boot race
The 23-year-old superstar was also named man-of-the-match in group-stage wins against Australia and Denmark, meaning he would have compulsory media duties after those games.
Mbappe is the top scorer in the competition with five after a brace against Poland, following a goal against the Socceroos and a double to beat the Danes, two clear of any other player in the Golden Boot race.
Didier Deschamps’ reigning champions now play England in the quarter-final on Saturday evening.
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