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Les Bleus wanted to take a breather. With two days to go before the third-place play-off against England, Didier Deschamps’ players were hoping for a free evening out on the streets of Miami to shake off the disappointment of their semi-final defeat to Spain. The manager made his decision: it would be rest, no exceptions.
Deschamps stands firm, the senior players understand
After three weeks in a bubble and intensive training sessions, several key players had pleaded for a break to relax in the Florida city.
Yet the request had come from the squad itself. After three weeks in a bubble and intensive training sessions, several key players had pleaded for a break to relax in the Florida city. Didier Deschamps, true to his reputation as a demanding manager, flatly refused. “We didn’t come to Miami to go sightseeing,” he is reported to have said, according to several sources close to the dressing room.
The message got through. Les Bleus made do with a light training session in the late afternoon and a group dinner at their hotel in South Beach. Kylian Mbappé, who is likely to be playing his final match for Les Bleus at this World Cup at the age of just 27 — his decision to retire from international football after the tournament is an open secret — was seen deep in discussion with the coaching staff. The 2–0 defeat to Spain in the semi-final has taken its toll, and the captain wants to end on a positive note.
Olise and Real Madrid: the saga of the summer
At 24, Michael Olise is one of the tournament’s standout performers. The Crystal Palace attacking midfielder, who has provided three assists and scored one goal since the start of the competition, is no longer hiding his ambitions. According to reports in 20 Minutes, the Chelsea academy graduate is said to have confided to those close to him his desire to join Real Madrid as early as this summer.
Real Madrid, who have been monitoring the situation for several months, could table an offer in the region of 200 million euros. Such a fee would make Olise the most expensive transfer in the history of French football, surpassing the 180 million paid by PSG for Mbappé in 2018. Crystal Palace, for their part, have no intention of selling off their star player, who is under contract until 2029, at a bargain price. The London club’s management will wait at least until the end of the World Cup before opening negotiations.
Yamal’s participation in doubt as La Roja hold their breath
With two days to go before the final against Lionel Messi’s Argentina, doubts remain over Lamine Yamal’s participation. The 19-year-old Spanish prodigy, who sustained an injury to his right ankle during the semi-final against France, did not take part in team training on Friday morning. La Roja’s medical staff are stepping up treatment — ice, electrostimulation, pool work — but no decision will be made until the day before the match.
The Barcelona player’s absence would be a major blow for Luis de la Fuente, who has built his attacking play around the dribbling and creativity of his young winger. Dani Olmo, who scored in the semi-final after coming on as a substitute, is the favourite to replace him. But replacing a player capable of beating three defenders with a burst of speed is no easy task, even for the reigning European champions.
A third-place play-off worth more than just bronze
The third-place play-off between France and England will take place on Saturday at 9.00 pm at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. For Les Bleus, the aim is twofold: to bring home a medal and to put a frustrating semi-final behind them, in which they managed just two shots on target. Didier Deschamps is expected to make several changes — Eduardo Camavinga, Warren Zaïre-Emery and Bradley Barcola are expected to feature in the starting line-up.
Beyond the result, this match will mark the end of an era. Mbappé’s announced retirement from international football, Olise’s possible move to Madrid and questions over Deschamps’ future — whose contract runs until 2028 but who may wish to step down — are shaping a French team in the midst of change. A bronze medal in Miami would be a fitting way to bid farewell to one generation, before embracing a new one.