French footballer Kylian Mbappe has slammed Marine Le Pen’s election success as “catastrophic” in a damning attack on her party with just days to go until France goes to the polls again.
Mbappe, who captains the French national team, blasted gains by Le Pen’s hard-right National Rally (RN) party in last weekend’s first round of French parliamentary elections – and in a shock move for the new Real Madrid star, urged French voters to come out against them.
Mbappe has been among several French players at this year’s Euros who have spoken out against the prospect of the RN taking control of France’s 577-seat National Assembly.
The former AS Monaco and PSG forward had previously called on France’s youth to reject “extremism” and, on the eve of his team’s quarter-final win against Portugal, was asked once more for a message, bringing football and politics together once more.
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Mbappe told a press conference: “I think that more than ever, we have to go and vote, it is really urgent… We cannot leave our country in the hands of these people, it is really urgent.
“We saw the results of the first round, it’s catastrophic. We really hope that this will change and that everyone will mobilise to vote… and vote for the right side.”
RN had made historic strides to win the first round of France’s two-stage voting system, but are set to fall short of an absolute majority in Sunday’s run-off, French opinion polls are suggesting.
Mbappe had been thrust into the spotlight centre of his country’s political turmoil before France’s opening Euro 2024 game a fortnight ago, describing the tumultuous events back home as a pivotal moment in the country’s history.
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Mbappe had said: “This is a never-seen-before event, 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.”
But the French captain wasn’t the only star to speak out against the RN.
Inter forward Marcus Thuram had urged the public to “fight daily” to prevent an RN win, while winger Ousmane Dembele said “the alarm bell has been sounded,” and urged people to mobilise and vote – as did teammate Olivier Giroud.
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Coach Didier Deschamps said he respected his players’ right to their political views.
He said: “It’s their free will… We must recognise they are great players but also French citizens and they are not immune or indifferent to the situation in the country.”
Mbappe has found himself in the centre of political storms before – when his country lost the World Cup final in 2022, he had been forced to endure an awkward on-field hug with President Emmanuel Macron, which doubtless did little to console him.
But tonight, his France team saw success; “Les Bleus” inched past 2016 Euros winners Portugal on penalties to set up a mouth-watering semi-final against Spain on Tuesday in Munich.
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