Invited on RTL, Michel Platini stated that Kylian Mbappé He was entitled to express his political opinions, but not when wearing the armband or the jersey of the French national team. The former number 10 of Les Bleus calls on the French captain to consider the weight of his public words.
Platini endorses Mbappé's civic engagement
Michel Platini does not dispute Kylian Mbappé's right to express his views on political subjects. When questioned on RTL about the French national team captain's stances, the former playmaker acknowledged that the Real Madrid striker was perfectly entitled to voice his opinion as a citizen. "He's right to take them when he's not wearing the captain's armband or the French national team jersey."Michel Platini explained. For him, Mbappé can make a public commitment when he speaks in his own name, in his personal capacity or at club level.
The blue jersey, a responsibility apart
Michel Platini's reservation concerns the timing and context of his remarks. According to him, wearing the French national team jersey requires a certain restraint, because the player no longer represents just himself, but a national team. « If he's in Madrid or elsewhere, he can take a political stance. But with the armband and the French national team jersey, you're playing for all the French people.he insisted on RTL.
The former UEFA president believes that political statements become more delicate when associated with the collective image of the French national team. For Platini, the captain's role further reinforces this responsibility.
"Footballers aren't necessarily idiots."
Michel Platini, however, defended the idea that athletes should be able to participate in public debate. He pointed out that footballers, often reduced to their role on the field, can also contribute to social issues. "It's good when intelligent people take a stand on societal issues."he said, before adding ironically: "Footballers aren't necessarily idiots; some of them are actually quite intelligent."
The risk of dividing
Michel Platini primarily warned Kylian Mbappé about the consequences of being too outspoken in public. According to him, a player of his stature inevitably faces opposing reactions whenever he takes a stance on a political issue. "As soon as you take a stand, you're going to upset half the world."he summarized. The former French international advised Mbappé to draw inspiration from figures like Zinedine Zidane, Lionel Messi, or Cristiano Ronaldowho, according to him, generally avoid taking overly divisive positions.
