The sky finally cleared during the French team's training session at Clairefontaine, providing a perfect moment for nearly 200 supporters. Despite earlier downpours, Didier Deschamps' players took advantage of the clear weather to connect with their loyal fans. The session kicked off with Jonathan Clauss, Benjamin Pavard, and N'Golo Kanté, soon joined by the young Parisians Bradley Barcola and Warren Zaire-Emery. The entire team followed suit, heading towards the excited fans to sign autographs and engage in friendly chats.
Among the crowd, Quentin Fosse, a 26-year-old supporter, showcased his jersey covered in signatures, including that of Kylian Mbappé's number 10. Accompanied by his father Bernard, a devoted fan since the 2006 World Cup, they plan to follow the Blues to Germany for the upcoming Euro. The two men were particularly impressed by the humility and warm demeanor of the French internationals, who took the time to interact without 'getting big heads'. Kylian Mbappé, as expected, received the loudest cheers, closely followed by the returning N'Golo Kanté.
Kanté, selected for the first time in two years, brought his signature smile and modesty to the practice. At one point, after losing a training exercise, he was playfully punished with push-ups by Marcus Thuram, bringing laughter to the session. For an hour, the Blues trained in high spirits, punctuated by light-hearted moments.
After the session, Antoine Griezmann, the vice-captain, spoke to the media about the buzz around Mbappé's potential move to Real Madrid. Despite the speculation, Griezmann had no advice for the young star. 'Kylian knows how to handle it. Now is not the time to think about La Liga,' he said. Griezmann emphasized Mbappé's achievements, notably his 44 goals, dismissing any concerns about his recent playing time at PSG.
In a noteworthy moment, during the autograph session, Mbappé agreed to sign a Real Madrid jersey for a young fan, a gesture that hints at his likely move to the Spanish club. This contrasts with his earlier reluctance in March to sign anything related to Real Madrid ahead of PSG's Champions League clash with Real Sociedad.
As the training concluded, the team was given a warm send-off by the crowd. Julian Fayemendy, a 16-year-old supporter, cherished the experience, expressing joy at being so close to his idols. The French team's engaging and down-to-earth demeanor left a lasting impression on the passionate crowd.
- Earlier in the day, before the training session, Antoine Griezmann faced the press to discuss the ongoing speculation about Kylian Mbappé's potential move to Real Madrid. Griezmann, showcasing his supportive stance, refrained from offering any advice, citing Mbappé's capability to handle such decisions independently. He also highlighted the young star's impressive performance, particularly his 44 goals for PSG, dismissing the recent concerns about his game time.
- The training session itself was not just a physical exercise but a warm and interactive event for the players and their supporters. The laughter and camaraderie among the team were evident, with playful moments such as Kylian Mbappé humorously signing the Real Madrid jersey and being teased by his teammates. The friendly environment was a testament to the positive spirit within the French squad.
- N'Golo Kanté's return to the team, after a two-year hiatus, was another highlight. His humble demeanor and smile have always been a positive influence on the squad. During training, his humility shone through when he was asked to do push-ups after a training drill, a light-hearted moment that brought smiles all around.
