Is this the best France soccer team of all time?
French fans in Dallas share whether they think this France team is the best ever before the World Cup semi-finals match against Spain.
Sports Seriously
Editor’s note: Follow for live updates on England-France World Cup game
Kylian Mbappé is paying tribute to France coach Didier Deschamps, saying he deserved a better send-off.
France plays England in the third-place game at the World Cup on Saturday, July 18, in what is also Deschamps’ final game after 14 years as France’s coach. It is a disappointing finish for France, which cruised through the tournament and was considered a favorite to win its second title in eight years until it ran into Spain in the semifinal.
“You who have given us so much, we should have offered you a better ending but we failed,” Mbappé wrote. “To put into words all that you have brought us for the past 14 years is very difficult. You have been such a major player in the rebuilding of this team. People didn’t always know how to appreciate your greatness, but time and history will change all of that.”
Mbappé also thanked Deschamps for the influence he’s had on him personally, saying he will have nothing but the best memories of playing for him. Deschamps has been Mbappé’s only coach with France’s senior national team, a run that has included the World Cup title in 2018 and a runner-up finish four years ago.
Deschamps also led France to second place at the European championships in 2016, before Mbappé was on the senior team.
“Thank you for giving me the chance and opportunity to represent my country on the biggest stage for so many years,” wrote Mbappé, who included a photo of him celebrating with Deschamps. “I feel privileged to have been able to be at your side for one of the greatest legends of our country, and I will have only the best memories of all that we have lived and accomplished together.”
Deschamps had said before the World Cup that he would step down after the tournament, ending one of the longest and most successful tenures of a national team coach. It is widely believed he will be replaced by Zinedine Zidane, who played with Deschamps on the France team that won the World Cup in 1998 and the European title two years later.
Deschamps has not said what he will do next.
“I wish you the best in your new adventure and again thank you for all that you brought to this jersey that is so important to me,” Mbappé wrote, closing his post with a crown emoji.
