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Deschamps focused on World Cup glory, not legacy, in final campaign
🇲🇾 Malaysia /Sports

Deschamps focused on World Cup glory, not legacy, in final campaign

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • France coach Didier Deschamps prioritizes the present over his legacy ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
  • Deschamps aims to lead Les Bleus to another World Cup title, drawing on past successes but focusing on future performance.
  • He emphasized that France's status as favorites does not guarantee victory and highlighted Kylian Mbappe's crucial role.

Didier Deschamps, the French national football team's head coach, is setting aside thoughts of his legacy as he prepares for what might be his final World Cup in 2026. His singular focus is on guiding the "Les Bleus" to victory in the upcoming tournament.

I'm only thinking about today and tomorrow. Honestly, other things don't matter. My focus is on what's ahead.

— Didier DeschampsOn his approach to the upcoming World Cup.

"I'm only thinking about today and tomorrow. Honestly, other things don't matter. My focus is on what's ahead," Deschamps stated. He acknowledged the special memories of winning the World Cup in 1998 as a player and in 2018 as a coach, but stressed that past achievements are irrelevant to the pursuit of new success. "What happened in 1998 and 2018 will always be with me, but no one can change the past. What's important now is what we will do next," he added.

What happened in 1998 and 2018 will always be with me, but no one can change the past. What's important now is what we will do next.

— Didier DeschampsReflecting on past victories and future ambitions.

Deschamps cautioned against complacency, reminding everyone that France's reputation as a top contender does not ensure an easy path to the final. "Results are the most important thing. This is the highest level and of course there are high expectations. The final is still far away," he said. He described winning the World Cup as the pinnacle of football achievement, dedicating all his energy to this tournament, which he indicated would be his last with France.

Results are the most important thing. This is the highest level and of course there are high expectations. The final is still far away.

— Didier DeschampsOn the challenges and expectations for the French team.

The coach also identified Kylian Mbappe as the team's linchpin for their World Cup aspirations. "What happens at club level stays at club level. Here, it's the national team. With the team and those who are there for the first session, they have worked hard. He has experience that others don't have. It will be his third World Cup. He knows how difficult the World Cup is," Deschamps explained.

No one can match the feeling of being a world champion, all my energy is now focused on this World Cup.

— Didier DeschampsDescribing the significance of the World Cup title.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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