Favard defends Mbappé and rebukes Castaldi and Latour over their criticism

Gilles Favard raised his voice against Kylian Mbappé’s detractors, directly naming his former L’Équipe colleagues Giovanni Castaldi and Bertrand Latour during a discussion with Pierre Ménès on YouTube.

The outburst came in the wake of France’s defeat to Italy (3-1) in the 5th day of the UEFA Nations League. Mbappé, unavailable despite being in the squad, did not play in the match, but his name continued to fuel media debate.

“For me, Mbappé is indisputable,” Favard said firmly, before offering an explanation for the recurring criticism: “He can annoy certain people, but I know why he annoys them: because he’s not buddies with them. He’s not going to have a beer with them. So they’re not buddies with him.” The former columnist broadened his point to journalist-player relations: “Journalists, when they’re buddies with the guys, they know things they never talk about.”

Favard was keen to soften his attack by expressing his regard for the two journalists targeted. “Giovanni, I like him. Bertrand, I adore him because I know he loves sport, he’s a sports lover. But when I don’t agree with him, I tell him.” Before concluding unambiguously: “I would never hit him hard, but with Mbappé, they need to stop.”

The Real Madrid striker is expected for the next France gathering, with a match against Turkey scheduled for Sunday evening in Bordeaux (20:45).