Paris-based football journalist Chloe Dubois reports that Kylian Mbappé sparked controversy after initially predicting the winner of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) before retracting his statement. The French forward, who plays for the French national team and Paris Saint-Germain, made the remarks during a press conference ahead of the tournament, according to multiple outlets including Foot Mercato and Goal.com.
Mbappé initially told reporters, “We will face the African champions,” during a pre-tournament media session, as cited by Goal.com. The comment implied that either Morocco or Senegal would secure the title, though he did not explicitly name either nation. However, the French striker later clarified his remarks, stating, “There is also Morocco,” according to Mountakhab.net, creating confusion about his initial assertion.
The ambiguity surrounding Mbappé’s comments came as the CAN tournament, held in Ivory Coast, entered its final stages. Morocco and Senegal had emerged as strong contenders, with the latter having won the 2021 edition and the former reaching the 2022 World Cup semifinals. The French forward’s remarks drew attention from fans and analysts, who speculated about the implications for France’s upcoming matches against African teams.
Despite the back-and-forth, official sources have not confirmed Mbappé’s statements as definitive predictions. A spokesperson for the French Football Federation declined to comment on the matter, citing the team’s focus on preparation for the tournament. Meanwhile, Senegalese and Moroccan officials have not addressed the remarks directly.
The CAN final, scheduled for February 2024, will determine the continent’s champion, with Morocco and Senegal set to face off in the title match. The outcome could impact France’s strategy in the 2024 European Championship qualifiers, as the team has historically faced strong African opponents in international competitions.
Key Facts
- Kylian Mbappé initially stated, “We will face the African champions,” before retracting to say, “There is also Morocco.”
- The 2023 CAN final between Morocco and Senegal is set for February 2024.
- No official confirmation has been provided about Mbappé’s remarks as predictions.
