By Reuters
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Kylian Mbappé found himself at the center of his country’s political turmoil on the eve of France’s opening game at Euro 2024 on Sunday, describing the tumultuous events back home as a pivotal moment for French history.
Usual questions about the challenge Austria might pose in the Group D clash in Düsseldorf were relegated at the pre-match media conference with Mbappé speaking openly about his fears.
“This is a never-seen-before event,” Mbappé, France’s talisman, told reporters. “And that is why I want to talk to the whole of the French people, but also the youth.
“We are a generation that can make a difference. We see the extremes are knocking on the door of power and we have the opportunity to shape our country’s future.”
On Saturday, the French Football Federation called for the national team’s neutrality to be respected and for Les Bleus not to be politicized following President Emmanuel Macron’s shock announcement a week ago to call a snap parliamentary elections for later this month after he was trounced in the European Union vote by Marine Le Pen’s far-right party.
The move plunged France into political uncertainty and has roiled financial markets, with Macron’s gamble offering the far right a shot at real political power that could weaken his presidency three years before it ends.
Opinion polls project the far-right National Rally (RN) could for the first time top the June 30 and July 7 vote, but may fall short of an absolute majority to govern alone.
While saying that it rejected any pressure and political use of the national team, the French federation said players were free to express their views.
Forward Marcus Thuram urged people to “fight daily” to prevent RN from gaining power, and Mbappé tackled the situation head-on.
“I share his opinion. I share the same opinion when I spoke about diversity, tolerance and respect,” Mbappé, who will join Real Madrid after the tournament, said.
