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Tag: France

  • Ligue 1: Mbappe eyes new club, set to leave PSG this summer

    Ligue 1: Mbappe eyes new club, set to leave PSG this summer

    Les Blues of France and Paris Saint-Germain forward, Kylian Mbappe, has made it known to the management of PSG that he will not be signing new contract with them.

    Mbappe’s current contract ends in January 2024 but contains an option to be triggered for another year till 2025 however, Mbappe is not ready to capitalize on the option.

    But according to transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, the 24-year-old is not interested in staying at the club until 2025.

    Liverpool and Real Madrid have been interested in the forward for many years.

    Should Mbappe insist on not extending his contract, PSG will be forced to push him out this summer so he doesn’t leave as a free agent.

    Romano tweeted: “Kylian Mbappé has informed PSG of his decision: he’ll NOT trigger the option to extend current contract until 2025, it means that deal would expire next June 2024 — as L’Équipé called.

    “PSG position: NO plan to lose Kylian for free. Sign a new deal now or he could be sold.”

    Mbappe could become the second high-profile departure from PSG this summer, after Lionel Messi left as a free agent.

    Messi, who joined the club two years ago, is set to sign for Inter Miami in the Major League Soccer (MLS).

    PSG are also reportedly eyeing Nigerian forward Victor Osimhem who currently plies his trade in the Italian Serie A Napoli

  • Argentina 2023: Gambian secures second round qualification after beating France 2-1

    Argentina 2023: Gambian secures second round qualification after beating France 2-1

    In a historic and sensational display, the Gambian under-20 team sent shockwaves through the U20 World Cup as they defeated France 2-1 on the second day of the group stage in Argentina on Thursday.

    The Gambian U-20 team qualified for the round of 16 at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina after defeating their French counterparts on Thursday.

    The Young Scorpions showcased their determination and skill, outplaying the French team in all departments.

    This momentous triumph not only propels Gambia into the round of 16 but also cements their status as a rising force in youth football.

    Gambia seized their first real opportunity by capitalizing on a mistake by French goalkeeper Yvan Lienard. It was Gambian midfielder Mohammed Jobe who pounced on Lienard’s poor clearance, swiftly passing the ball to his teammate Adama Bodjang inside the box. Bodjang’s shot deflected off French defender Tanguy Zoukrou and found its way into the net (13′). This early breakthrough allowed Gambia to go into the halftime break with a well-deserved lead at Estadio Mendoza.

    Returning for the second half, Abdoulai Bojang’s young prodigies refused to sit back and defend their advantage. Their enterprising nature persisted, with Jobe causing havoc once again. In the 56th minute, Jobe was brought down in the French penalty area after intercepting a poorly cleared ball by the defense, earning Gambia a penalty.

    However, French goalkeeper denied Gambia’s captain Alagie Saine the chance to extend their lead, redeeming himself on this occasion. The missed penalty proved to be a regretful moment for Gambia, as France equalized four minutes later through a strike from Wilson Odobert.

    However, in the 65th minute when Mamin Sanyang, in a superb display of skill, maneuvered past the French defense before unleashing a powerful shot that beat Liénard.

    Making their return to the U20 World Cup for the first time since 2007, Gambia has announced its resurgence with two wins in two matches. They previously defeated Honduras by the same scoreline.

    The Gambian will face South Korea in the round of 16.

  • Kante makes huge Chelsea contract announcement

    Kante makes huge Chelsea contract announcement

    French midfielder N’Golo Kante has insisted that he wants to stay at Chelsea.

    Kante has not enjoyed the best of seasons, as he has been absent for most of the campaign with injury issues.

    He is out of contract in a month.

    In an interview with Sky Sports, Kante outlined his plans for the summer and beyond: “Yeah for sure [want to stay]. It’s an exciting project for the club. Unfortunately the season has not been a standout for Chelsea.

    “I’m sure everyone wants to go this way; the way of success, the way of winning titles. I hope this club will fight again in this direction. Let’s see where I will be but I hope that this is a change for the club, that is most important.”

    On his fitness, Kante added: “It was the purpose of the surgery, to come back strong. At the moment I feel good, hopefully it’ll carry on like this. For the last few weeks I’ve been playing I’ve felt very good.

  • Griezmann disappointed missing France captaincy – Mbappe

    Griezmann disappointed missing France captaincy – Mbappe

    Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe admits Antoine Griezmann is upset missing the France captaincy.

    Mbappe was named Les Bleus captain this week ahead of the Atletico Madrid striker.

    He said, “Antoine is disappointed and it is understandable, I would have had the same reaction.

    “I have spoken with him, he is the most important player of the (Didier) Deschamps era and we will go hand in hand to take the team to the top.

    “A good captain is one who is team oriented and unifies. I was very happy when Deschamps gave me the news, it is a new responsibility that I have to assume.”

  • Kylian Mbappe named new France captain

    Kylian Mbappe named new France captain

    Paris St-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe has been appointed France captain to succeed Hugo Lloris, the French football federation (FFF) said on Monday.

    French media reported that Mbappe had accepted the captaincy after speaking with coach Didier Deschamps.

    “Didier Deschamps has named Kylian Mbappe the new captain of Les Bleus. Antoine Griezmann is the vice-captain,” the FFF said on Twitter.

    “Kylian meets all the requirements to have this responsibility. On the field as in the life of the group, by being a unifying element,” Deschamps was quoted as saying.

    Mbappe, 24, had been touted as one of the candidates for the role since goalkeeper Lloris retired from international football in January.

    This had come weeks after leading France to a second straight FIFA World Cup final, where they were beaten by Argentina.

    Mbappe has been capped 66 times and played a key role in their successful 2018 World Cup campaign as well as their runners-up finish in 2022.

    France take on the Netherlands at the Stade de France in their first Euro 2024 qualifier on Friday, before travelling to Ireland next Monday.

  • Tributes pour as record World Cup scorer Fontaine dies

    Tributes pour as record World Cup scorer Fontaine dies

    Former French football great Just Fontaine, who in 1958 scored a record 13 goals in a single edition of the World Cup, has died, triggering an outpouring of tributes on Wednesday.

    Fontaine, 89, netted 30 goals from 21 caps for France between 1953 and 1960.

    In 1958, he was instrumental in Les Bleus reaching the semi-finals in Sweden.

    A prolific striker with 259 goals from 283 matches in his club career, Fontaine was one of the key players of the great Stade de Reims team.

    The team reached the European Cup final in 1959.

    Reims, who won three French top-flight titles with Fontaine, lost 0-2 to Real Madrid but ‘Justo’ ended up as the competition’s top goalscorer with 10 goals.

    “A star of French football, an outstanding striker, a legendary Reims player… To his family… Stade de Reims send their most sincere condolences,” Reims wrote on Twitter.

    “A thought for Just Fontaine,” French champions Paris St-Germain (PSG) wrote on Twitter.

    As a coach, Fontaine helped PSG gain promotion to the first division in 1974.

    France head coach Didier Deschamps said: “I am saddened by the death of Just Fontaine, as I am sure all those who love football and our national team will be.

    “As a player and then as a coach, I was lucky enough to meet him on several occasions, notably at his home in Toulouse in September 2017.

    “Justo was a very kind man, very respectful of the generations that succeeded him at Les Bleus.

    “His attachment to the French team was strong and sincere. I send a friendly and moving thought to his family, his relatives and all our great elders today in sorrow.”

  • Zinedine Zidane gives hint on return to coaching

    Zinedine Zidane gives hint on return to coaching

    Former Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has announced he’s ready to return to management.

    Zidane has flirted with PSG, Newcastle and Manchester United since leaving Real 18 months ago.

    “Going back to coaching is my goal,” Zizou told Le Figaro.

    “Today I have free time but I don’t know how long it will last. I have until June perhaps, but it could happen very quickly that I will return to bench.”

     

  • Mbappe faces huge challenge if he becomes France captain, PSG coach says

    Mbappe faces huge challenge if he becomes France captain, PSG coach says

    Kylian Mbappe will be taking on “a huge responsibility” if he becomes the new France captain now, after Hugo Lloris retired from international football.

    That is the verdict of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) head coach Christophe Galtier, who steered clear of either recommending the role to Mbappe or putting any pressure on national coach Didier Deschamps.

    At the age of 24, Mbappe has already won 66 caps for Les Bleus, scoring 36 goals in the process.

    He won the FIFA World Cup in 2018 and scored a hat-trick against Argentina in the 2022 final in Qatar, but he painfully finished on the losing team.

    PSG striker Mbappe appears an obvious candidate, but he may not aspire to the captaincy, which Lloris held for 10 years.

    Manchester United defender Raphael Varane is another strong contender for the role, according to reports in France, having served as vice-captain at the Qatar World Cup.

    Galtier said on Tuesday: “I’m not the national team coach. I’m not going to get involved in the France captain discussion.

    “Sometimes, the France captain is of a certain age with a certain number of caps.

    “Kylian Mbappe has got many under his belt and many incredible performances. I haven’t spoken to Kylian Mbappe about whether he will be the France captain or not.

    “Of course, that is a huge responsibility. It is not me who will decide who the captain will be. Even without the armband, he is a leader.”

  • France number one shot-stopper, Lloris retires from international football

    France number one shot-stopper, Lloris retires from international football

    France and Tottenham number one  goalkeeper,  Hugo Lloris has announced his retirement from international football.

    This is coming hours after former teammate, Wales’ Gareth Bale made same announcement.

    Meanwhile, the 2018 World Cup and 2022 finalist announced his retirement from international football on Monday.

    In a statement, the goalkeeper said it was time to hand over to the younger one to carry on.

    “There comes a time when you have to know how to hand over,” Lloris told L’Equipe.

    “I don’t want to take over, I have always said and repeated that the French team does not belong to anyone.”

    The Tottenham man said he was certain the team is ready to continue without him, recommending Mike Maignan to take over from him.

    “Prefer to go out when I’m at my best than wait for a slump,” he added.

  • Man Utd ponder shock move for Olivier Giroud

    Man Utd ponder shock move for Olivier Giroud

    Premier League side Manchester United are assessing a shock transfer for ex-Arsenal and Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud.

    The French veteran, who plays for AC Milan, could be a short-term option for Erik ten Hag’s team.

    Giroud scored 144 goals in 372 matches in England, winning nine trophies in those ten years.

    He has been with Milan since the summer of 2021, with the 36-year-old winning Serie A last term.

    Per The Times, Giroud is among the players United are assessing as possible loan options.

    The club are not going to sanction a big money transfer in January, as the owners are looking to sell the team.