Didier Deschamps, head coach of France, expressed his heartfelt emotions on Tuesday following Kylian Mbappé’s embrace after the team captain dedicated his opening goal to Deschamps during France’s 3-0 win against Sweden in the Round of 16 of the World Cup.
Deschamps had just returned to the sidelines after temporarily stepping away from the French camp and missing their last group stage match due to the passing of his mother.
“Kylian’s gesture really moved me,” Deschamps stated. “He is our captain, and I say this because he has been extraordinary from the very beginning.”
He highlighted the team’s camaraderie and determination during this challenging week, noting that France has won all four of its World Cup matches to date, scoring no less than three goals in each match.
“The squad remained united. They did well while I was away, and perhaps it was best that I wasn’t there for both them and myself,” Deschamps added.
“However, once I returned, they understood I was with them, which is a positive aspect. A team’s mentality alone doesn’t win matches, but I know all too well it can lead to losses.”
In addition to praising Mbappé, who is tied with Lionel Messi as the joint top scorer of the 2026 World Cup with six goals, Deschamps also recognized Bayern Munich forward Michael Olise, who registered two assists against Sweden, bringing his total to five in the tournament.
“When he has the ball, it’s a spectacle,” Deschamps remarked. “He is playing at a world-class level. After a season of great play and some time to adjust, he greatly influences the squad. He works well with the other forwards, and their on-field chemistry is becoming instinctive.”
In the wake of the surprising eliminations of powerhouse teams like Germany and the Netherlands, France handily defeated Sweden and is set to take on Paraguay in the quarter-finals on July 4 in Philadelphia.
“We’ve seen how tough the other knockout matches have been. For us, it wasn’t as difficult because we executed our game plan effectively; however, we are only at the round of 16,” remarked the Les Bleus coach.
“We know the challenges ahead in four days. We’ll have to replicate this performance against an opponent with different strengths, but certainly, the French team possesses immense talent. When they compete with such mentality and focus, it’s fantastic.”
Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.