Kylian Mbappe insists tension in the France camp has been defused ahead of Monday’s Euro 2024 clash with Ireland.
Antoine Griezmann was in a strop when Didier Deschamps snubbed him for the captaincy, with Mbappe handed the honour instead.
But the Atletico Madrid and PSG stars have settled their differences - apparently over a PlayStation session!
Mbappe said yesterday: “I spoke with Antoine. He was disappointed and that's understandable. I told him I’d have had the same reaction.
"He’s perhaps the most important player in the Deschamps era. He has the experience. If he has something to say, I’ll sit down and listen.”
Reports in France claim Mbappe and Griezmann hammered out their differences in a gaming session at the French camp.
And Mbappe added: “You mustn’t shut the door to anyone. Everyone is free to express themselves.”
France begin their campaign at home to Holland tonight - and could get off to a flyer because of a dodgy curry.
Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo and Matthijs De Ligt are among five Dutch players to have been struck down with a mysterious bug.
And media in the Netherlands have pinned the blame on food poisoning after a chicken curry feed.
Holland skipper Virgil van Dijk said: "I also ate chicken curry myself and it was delicious. Whether that is the cause, I don't know.
"But it was very strange. In our whatsapp group, messages suddenly came through that some boys were going home, that they were ill. That was a bit of a shock."
Ireland scout Stephen Rice and analyst Gary Seery are in Paris to spy on France for Stephen Kenny.
But the Ireland boss - and his players - will be tuning him from the team hotel in Dublin with Monday’s big showdown in mind.
Last night, Kenny said: “I'm not being deliberately evasive but it's impossible to know what constitutes a good result.
“We just have to get ourselves ready for Monday as that's the big game for us. We want to be in control of our destiny. That's our main objective.
“France have been in the last two World Cup finals and have been so consistent in the World Cup.
“They’ve numerous world class players so I expect France to be good in both games. There doesn't seem to be any complacency. They seem very focused.
“It's a fascinating game France v Holland. You'd love to be at it personally but the greater need for me is to focus on the team and training today and tomorrow.”
Ireland are underdogs against France but Kenny insists he won’t abandon his attacking principles in favour of a defensive approach.
“We’ll continue to be brave in the way we play,” he said. “We believe in what we do.
“You have to make provisions for the strengths France have, but we have to be courageous in our play by passing the ball and being fearless in our approach.
“We need to put bodies on the line to secure the result we want because without question France will have strong spells in the game.”
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