France’s head coach Didier Deschamps has put his weight behind forward Kylian Mbappe amid criticism. The star striker has scored a solitary in the ongoing Euro 2024, which came from spot kick. Mbappe, who is known for his agility on the pitch, suffered a broken nose in the opening match of the tournament against Austria.

Meanwhile, Mbappe is regarded as one of the best players of the current era and he has performed consistently for the national team. The youngster has scored 48 goals in 83 appearances for France since making his debut in 2017. 

“Don’t you think he has already made enough history, with what he has done so far?” the coach Didier Deschamps said while speaking on the French television show Téléfoot on Sunday. “He wants to make even more history.

“We did everything we could with him, with the medical staff, to get him to be here. During the preparation, he had a little back problem, too, but Kylian is here.”

Deschamps admitted that Mbappe is not 100% fit because of his nose injury however his presence creates a fear in the opposition’s camp.

“Even if he’s not 100%, I know very well that for the opponent, knowing he’s playing makes them think and forces them to adapt,” Deschamps said.

Randal Kolo Muani and Youssouf Fofana, who spoke at the team’s news conference on Sunday, also showered praise on their teammate.

“Kylian is the player who scored three penalties in a World Cup final,” Fofana said. “I don’t know many players who have achieved this feat. I only know one.

“Whether it’s him or a player like Antoine [Griezmann] who is vice-captain, they have done things that most of the players in the dressing room haven’t done. When they talk, we listen.”

Kolo Muani added: “He [Mbappé] has this gift of carrying a group. He has so much experience — I think he was born to pull a group forward.”

France will take on Spain in their semifinal on Tuesday in Munich.