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Kylian Mbappe admitted he was “affected” by public comments seen as criticism of compatriot Olivier Giroud following a friendly against Bulgaria, but insisted he didn’t want it becomes a distraction for France at Euro 2020. Tensions have arisen between the two players after Chelsea. Forward Giroud complained about not receiving the ball often enough in Tuesday’s 3-0 win over Bulgaria, in which he scored twice. “I was a bit affected by it but we’re not going to make a big deal out of it,” Mbappe said. journalists Sunday at the Clairefontaine national training center. “We are here to represent France and the national team is the most important thing. We have a big competition and these trivial things are not going to interfere with our preparation. “
Mbappe, Ligue 1’s top scorer last season with 27 goals, revealed he wanted to tackle the issue earlier in the week but was dissuaded from doing so by France coach Didier Deschamps.
“I wanted to come Thursday (to the press conference) to explain myself. After speaking with the coach, it wasn’t the best time, “said the 22-year-old.
“He decided the best time was today, so I did as I was told and came today.”
The Paris Saint-Germain star claimed it wasn’t what Giroud said that bothered him, but the public nature of his words.
“I saw him in the locker room, I went to congratulate him on his goals. He didn’t tell me anything and then I found out from the media.
“I wish he’d come and even be a lot more scathing about it.” In the locker room, if I have something to say to someone, I will tell them and it stays there, I have no problem. “
But Mbappe has sought to end the brewing feud ahead of France’s tournament opener against Germany in Munich on Tuesday.
“I don’t want this to bother the team. We’re going to have some really tough tests already, we don’t need to make it any harder. “
Giroud, 34, is France’s second-highest scorer of all time, his 46 goals just behind Thierry Henry (51).
The world champions have a plethora of attacking options, however, with Karim Benzema returning to the squad after a five-and-a-half-year exile, and Antoine Griezmann also in the squad.
Les Bleus face Hungary in Budapest in their second Group F match, then face defending champions Portugal at Puskas Arena on June 19 in a rehearsal of the 2016 final.
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