Luka Modric and Kylian Mbappe caused an almighty rant from a Spanish reporter after they appeared to swap shirts after Monday’s match between France and Croatia.
World Champions France are out of the running for the Nations League after losing 1-0 to Croatia.
An early penalty from Real Madrid man Modric was enough to see off the holders as they are now rooted to the bottom of the group with just two points from four games.
After the game, manager Didier Deschamps said his team lacked the necessary energy to compete with their opponents.
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He said: “It was a difficult month of June in terms of results. We did not have the energy and the strength against teams who had more than us.”
“We lost a bit of self-confidence along the way but it’s mostly freshness that we lacked. When you play so many games it is very very hard.”
Even with the likes of Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe starting, they failed to break through a stubborn Croatian defence.
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French fans were unhappy with their team’s recent form ahead of the World Cup later this year.
But it was a Spanish Real Madrid reporter, Josep Pedrerol who stole the show, he was told Modric and Mbappe swapped shirts after the match, and that angered Pedrerol big time.
He said: “Is what you’re telling me true?! Modric has asked for Mbappe’s shirt?! What?!”
“But how can he ask Mbappe for his shirt?! The guy who left Real Madrid stranded?!”
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“Modric is Madridista, Mbappe has laughed at Madridistas and he asks for his shirt?! This is a joke, no?!”
Pedrerol continued: “Mbappe has laughed at all Madridistas and Modric, leader of Real Madrid, asks for his shirt!! Don’t you think it’s terrible?!”
“Modric has asked for the shirt of the guy who dumped Real Madrid with one week to go! Honestly, I’m in shock. I didn’t know any of this.”
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All this anger was caused after Mbappe rejected a move to Madrid last month after a last minute attempt from Paris Saint Germain to persuade the Frenchman to stay paid off.
Mbappe was offered a mega deal that he simply could not turn down.
This was not the first time Pedrerol has had a rant about a player. Back in May 2021, he brutally ripped into Eden Hazard after he appeared to joke with Chelsea players after a defeat in the Champions League.
Topics: Luka Modric, Kylian Mbappe, France, Croatia, UEFA Nations League, Real Madrid
Marcus Chan