N'Golo Kanté: "We feel very loved by the fans"

French midfielder N'Golo Kanté shared that he and his national teammates feel a deep connection with their supporters, stating they feel "very loved" by the fans. This sentiment fuels their ambition to reach the World Cup final for the third time in a row.

Kanté, a key figure in France's 2018 World Cup victory who missed the 2022 tournament due to injury, is preparing for what is likely his final World Cup appearance. Known for his humility and quiet demeanor, Kanté has earned widespread admiration from fans globally, not just for his contributions to the French national team and his former clubs like Leicester City and Chelsea, but also for his sportsmanship.

While acknowledging his potential role as a substitute in the current tournament, with Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot established in the midfield, Kanté stressed the importance of every player. "Those on the bench will also have their importance; we are focused, we will have to take advantage of the hydration breaks," he commented, indicating the team's readiness.

Kanté identified France as the "number one rival to beat" due to their squad's exceptional quality. He anticipates a challenging debut match against Senegal on Tuesday, recognizing their balanced team and the likelihood of varied phases of play during the game. France is set to begin their World Cup campaign at 3:00 PM local time in East Rutherford.