Quick hits: Mbappé's goal and Bielsa's protest

Kylian Mbappé's dazzling goal has once again placed him at the center of the World Cup's attention, showcasing his electrifying talent on the global stage. In contrast, master tactician Marcelo Bielsa, known for his eccentricities, made a deliberate effort to steer clear of the spotlight, particularly during pre-tournament media obligations.

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I'm not a model.

Bielsa, the 70-year-old Uruguayan coach, famously refused to engage with the official pre-tournament photo session. Standing with his hands in his pockets and looking down, he made his stance clear: "I'm not a model." He dismissed the need for further explanation, emphasizing that his actions, whether wearing glasses or looking down, require no justification.

Meanwhile, a poignant gesture is unfolding at every French World Cup match: an empty seat in the press box honors Christophe Gleizes, a French sports journalist currently imprisoned in Algeria. Gleizes, 36, was sentenced to seven years in 2025 for allegedly supporting terrorism, though political tensions between France and Algeria are suspected to be a factor.

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I don't have to give any explanation, the picture was taken the way it was taken.

The journalist's plight stems from his contact with an exiled Kabyle opposition figure while researching a story for the football magazine So Foot. The individual Gleizes interviewed is now reportedly a leader of a group designated as terrorist by the Algerian government. French journalists' unions are calling for Gleizes's release, and his mother has traveled to the World Cup to raise awareness.

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There is nothing wrong about wearing glasses or looking into somebody's eyes or looking down.