Michel Platini Defends Kylian Mbappé's Stances, Names France World Cup Favorite

Football icon Michel Platini has declared France the favorite for the 2026 World Cup, while also acknowledging the tournament's increased complexity with the expansion to 48 teams. "On paper, we are the favorites," Platini stated in an interview with RTL, "but you still have to play the matches." He noted that the expanded format, requiring five knockout-stage matches, makes it more challenging, as "it is not necessarily the best who wins in a single match."

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I think we can place France as the favorite for the World Cup. On paper, we are, after all, you have to play the matches.

Platini also addressed the public discourse surrounding French star Kylian Mbappé, defending his right to express personal opinions. "Kylian does his job completely," Platini said, highlighting Mbappé's evolution as a player and his consistent goal-scoring prowess. However, Platini advised a degree of restraint when Mbappé represents the French national team. "He has the right to take positions when he is not wearing the armband and the jersey of the French team," Platini explained. "If he is in Madrid or elsewhere, he can take political positions. But when you play with the jersey of the French team, when you wear the armband, you play for all French people, so it is more difficult to take a position."

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Kylian (Mbappé) does his job completely. He has evolved in his game, he has gone from being less of a player to more of a scorer and finisher.

Shifting his focus to the governance of the sport, Platini expressed disappointment with FIFA's current direction. He argued that the organization, under its current leadership, has become self-serving rather than player-centric. "FIFA is an organization that must be at the service of players worldwide, from amateurs to professionals," Platini asserted. "But today, football is at the service of FIFA. They are doing their business... we can only be disappointed."

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He has the right to take positions when he is not wearing the armband and the jersey of the French team. If he is in Madrid or elsewhere, he can take political positions. But when you play with the jersey of the French team, when you wear the armband, you play for all French people, so it is more difficult to take a position.

He contrasted the perceived power of FIFA officials with the true influence wielded by star players. "Media-wise, they are very strong, and they think they are very powerful. Powerful people are not the leaders. They are Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappé: they are the powerful ones," Platini declared. Regarding the potential appointment of Zinedine Zidane as the new French national team coach, Platini expressed his support, stating, "I wish for it."

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FIFA is an organization that must be at the service of players worldwide, from amateurs to professionals. But today, football is at the service of FIFA.