PARIS, France, Jan 9 Kylian Mbappe on Sunday blasted as disrespectful comments made by the head of the French football federation (FFF) concerning former international Zinedine Zidane with the PSG superstar describing his fellow World Cup winner as a legend
Zinedine Zidane, I wouldnt even have taken his call on the phone, FFF president Noel Le Graet quipped dismissively in an interview on French radio when asked whether Zidane had called him to express an interest in taking over as coach from Didier Deschamps
Deschamps contract expired after the World Cup in Qatar where reigning champions France lost to Argentina in a penalty shootout after a thrilling final on December 18
However, Deschamps on Saturday signed a new deal until the 2026 World Cup
Asked whether Zidane, who won the 1998 World Cup as a player alongside Deschamps and was a runner-up in 2006, had called him in recent days, Le Graet dismissed the former Real Madrid coach as having been a potential candidate "I wouldn't have even answered his call," said Le Graet. "To tell him something? 'Hello, don't worry, find another club. I just signed Didier.'"
But Mbappe, who won the 2018 World Cup with France and was runner-up in Qatar, was offended by Le Grae's tone
"Zidane is France. We don't ignore the legend so much..." the Paris Saint-Germain striker wrote on Twitter
FFF boss Le Grae, 81, also took a hard stance on reports that Zidane was interested in coaching the Brazilian national team "I'd be surprised if he went there," he said
"He does what he wants, it's not my job. I never met him and he never considered leaving Didier Deschamps
"He can go anywhere he wants, any club, and he can go as many clubs as he wants in the big clubs in Europe. National team, I have little faith in myself."
Zidane left Real Madrid last year after winning two LaLiga titles and three Champions League titles in a row as coach of the Spanish club French sports minister Amelie Ouda Castellan called on Le Graet to apologize for his comments, which he said showed a "shameful lack of respect".
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