France captain Kylian Mbappé urges vote against rising

‘I want to be proud to represent France,’ says Les Bleus star France kick off Euro 2024 campaign against Austria on Monday

Kylian Mbappé has found himself at the centre of his country’s political turmoil on the eve of France’s opening game at Euro 2024, 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 Duesseldorf were relegated at the pre-match media conference with Mbappé speaking openly about his fears, saying the situation in France “was dire”.