14.06.2026 18:30
Kylian Mbappe, captain of the French National Team, made statements about Fenerbahçe's successful player N'Golo Kante. Expressing his admiration for Kante, Mbappe said, "Time keeps passing, but there isn't a single sign that he has aged or declined in his game. You know those famous 'retirement at 64' debates in France... I'm sure Kante isn't afraid of that at all; he could still be running on the pitch at that age."
Ahead of their first match in the 2026 World Cup tournament against Senegal, the French National Team captain Kylian Mbappe made striking statements about his teammate N'Golo Kante. Speaking about the experienced midfielder who plays for Fenerbahce, Mbappe praised Kante with flattering words.
''SHY AND RESERVED''
Giving an interview to the French press L'Equipe, Kylian Mbappe praised Kante's on-field performance and character, saying, "It's truly incredible that he is still among us at this level. 'NG' (N'Golo) is indescribably shy and has a rare level of reserve. But under the national team umbrella, he has created a peaceful world of his own. When it comes to stepping onto the pitch, the situation completely changes; there he performs like four people all by himself."
''HE DOESN'T JUST RUN, HE READS THE GAME BRILLIANTLY''
Stating that there is a public perception that Kante stands out only with his physical strength and running distances, Mbappe emphasized the experienced player's game intelligence, saying, "People think he just runs endlessly, but it's not just about that. Yes, he has incredible dynamism, but the most critical point is that he runs to the right place at the right time. I have seen players in football who run a lot but contribute nothing to the team. Kante, on the other hand, while running, also analyzes the game perfectly. Thanks to his amazing football intelligence, he anticipates what will happen on the field and positions himself accordingly."
''HE COULD KEEP RUNNING ON THE PITCH EVEN AT AGE 64''
Noting that Kante's performance has not seen the slightest decline over the years, Mbappe humorously concluded his remarks:
"This is truly a fascinating situation. Time passes, but there is not the slightest sign of him aging or regressing in his game. You know those famous 'retirement at age 64' debates in France... I'm sure Kante is not afraid of that at all; he could keep running on the pitch even at that age."