Kylian Mbappe has addressed reports of a feud with France teammate Olivier Giroud, after the latter made public comments ahead of Euro 2020 getting underway.
Giroud spoke after France’s final warm-up victory against Bulgaria, which his side won 3-0.
The forward scored twice, but appeared to criticise the lack of service he received from certain individuals during the match.
He told L’Equipe: “I was a little quiet because, sometimes, I made runs and the balls didn’t come to me.
“I am not saying that I always make the best runs, but I am seeking to offer solutions.”
L’Equipe reported that, after hearing the comments from his team-mate, Mbappe wanted to make a statement in a press conference.
Mbappe speaks out on Giroud comments
Mbappe has since played down the feud – but criticised Giroud for making his frustrations public, rather than in the changing room.
He said: “It’s not what he [Giroud] said. Frankly, what he said doesn’t bother me.
“I’m a striker and it’s an opinion. He is expressing an opinion when he speaks. It doesn’t bother me.
“I’m a striker and I’ve had this feeling 365 times in a game and I will have it again, when you feel you’re not getting the service. It’s more about making it public.
“I congratulated him for scoring in the changing room, he didn’t say anything to me, and then I heard from the press. He didn’t say anything bad.
“He’s a striker, he wants to score goals, he’s near a record and when you’re a striker, whether you like it or not, it gets into your head. If he could have scored another goal he would have done so.
“But making it public… I would have preferred to let him come and be even more vocal in the changing room. It’s happened to me. We have known each other for a while.
“You know what I am like in the changing room. If I have something to say to someone I say it. That’s not a problem but it stays in the changing room. But it’s not a problem, these are small trifles.
“And I don’t want this preparation, which has started well – because we have played some good matches – to be spoiled or for the squad to be affected because the squad doesn’t need this. We have some difficult challenges to face and we don’t need to create our own obstacles.”
France kick off their Euro 2020 campaign against Germany on June 15. Giroud is five goals away from equalling Thierry Henry‘s record (51) as the national team’s highest ever goalscorer.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
