A disastrous performance in the first half of the third-place match saw France head into the locker room trailing 4-0, creating a tense atmosphere that eventually boiled over during post-match media interviews. Rabiot did not hold back when assessing the performance. “We started this first half in a quite embarrassing way. I saw behaviors in some players that I had never seen until now. It is a bit disappointing because it was the last game to look good in this competition,” Rabiot stated.

“There is a lot of disappointment after the loss to Spain, but we had to give everything until the end and we cannot settle for doing things halfway just like that.” Despite the terrible start, France showed signs of life after the break, a point noted by other members of the squad. “We talked at halftime, told ourselves we had to show some pride, and the second half was much better, because in the first half there were some unacceptable attitudes,” Rabiot concluded.

Deschamps’ response

This unfortunately marked Deschamps‘ final match with France, concluding the career of an unquestionable legend in the history of the team. However, his farewell was bitter, compounded by Rabiot’s controversial remarks, which the manager addressed with authority.

“I am not going to settle scores today!“ Deschamps said. “The players know it well. I am not going to point fingers. Instead, I always tell them what I think! Certainly, as Kylian said, it had to be digested.

“But it is I who made a mistake, I should have made other decisions from the start of the match, they can say it, and maybe it would have turned out better. Everyone is judged by their performances. Obviously, some players could have done better. I wish the best to everyone.”

France left reeling

There is no denying that France put together a surprising run throughout the tournament due to their dominance. Their World Cup journey included victories over Senegal (3-1), Iraq (3-0), Norway (4-1), Sweden (3-0 in the round of 32), Paraguay (1-0 in the round of 16), and Morocco (2-0 in the quarterfinals) before hitting a wall against Spain. The Spanish side secured a 2-0 victory in the semifinals, shattering French dreams of lifting another trophy.

That elimination left deep scars within the locker room. According to L’Equipe, several players identified Deschamps as the main culprit behind the loss to Spain. Specifically, players pointed to the decision to keep Aurelien Tchouameni in the starting lineup and the substitution of Rabiot at halftime. The unrest grew because the coach maintained the exact same system during the second half, restricting his adjustments to player-for-player substitutions without altering the overall tactical approach.

Rabiot made it clear that there is “no plan” specific to stopping the Spanish winger Lamine Yamal, who carries the total confidence of Dani Olmo. “There is no plan against Yamal; we are focused on the Spanish national team, not on one player in particular,” Rabiot stated to the media on Monday.

He added that the threat spans across all aspects of the opponent’s game. “We know they are dangerous in all aspects, whether it is him, in attack, with possession, attacking tight spaces near the box, or with their game in general. We must focus on that. I am not necessarily thinking about any player in particular,” Rabiot assured on Monday, while showing great confidence.

The past between Rabiot and Yamal

The AC Milan player was a central figure two years ago in the buildup to the Euro 2024 semifinal against Spain due to a statement where he said that if Lamine Yamal wanted to play in the final, he was going to have to “demonstrate even more things” than he had done up to that point.

“I do not remember those exact words, but what I told him was surely true at that time,” Rabiot said when asked if he regretted his comments, which came before Yamal proved vital by scoring a brilliant goal in that French semifinal elimination.

Yamal vs France

Yamal has not yet shown his best version during the 2026 World Cup. However, his track record against Kylian Mbappe and France is highly favorable, as evidenced by the last two meetings between La Roja and Les Bleus.

Those matches resulted in two wins and three goals for Lamine. In the first encounter, during the Euro 2024 semifinals, the Barcelona player produced a goal from outside the box out of nowhere that completely changed the course of the match.

The Nations League marked the second time the two neighbors faced off. Once again, Lamine shone brightly, netting a brace in a spectacular 5-4 victory for Spain. That represents three direct blows against a defense that still does not know how to stop the young winger.

“Everything is green to go, we’re arriving in the best possible conditions, it’s still football, we’re not afraid of anyone. There’s real osmosis, cohesion, an alchemy, off the field it works very well. The coach’s difficulties have also brought us closer, tightened our bonds,” he said during the press conference before this crucial game.

Lamine Yamal recently said that other teams should fear Spain. Was this a response to the young Spanish star? Not directly, but Rabiot acknowledged that he has complete confidence in what Les Bleus have in their squad as they aim to reach a third consecutive World Cup final.

How France head into this match?

France head into the 2026 World Cup semifinal match against Spain with absolute dominance and a flawless record, securing a perfect six-game winning streak. In the knockout stage, Les Bleus proved their defensive solidity and clinical nature by defeating Paraguay 1-0 in the Round of 16, followed by a commanding 2-0 victory over Morocco in the quarterfinals, thanks to crucial goals from Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele.

Driven by a powerful offense that has found its peak in the second half of matches, Didier Deschamps’ side arrives in excellent form, eager to settle the score against La Roja after its previous encounters in Euro 2024 and the Nations League.

France’s top scorers

France’s attacking firepower has been one of the standout strengths of this World Cup. Kylian Mbappe is among the contenders for the Golden Boot, while Ousmane Dembele has also found the back of the net on several occasions.

When and where is France vs. Spain?

France and Spain will meet at Dallas Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET. The winner will advance to the World Cup final on Sunday, July 19, at New York New Jersey Stadium, where it will face the winner of the semifinal between Argentina and England.

The French midfielder raised eyebrows in his press conference ahead of the match by downplaying what Yamal had shown so far: “If Lamine Yamal wants to play in the Euro 2024 final with Spain, he will have to do much more against us than he has done so far.”

Those comments eventually backfired, as they only served as bulletin board material for the Spanish sensation. “Speak now, speak now!,” said Yamal to the cameras as Spain celebrated the 2-1 win in Munich. Later, he told Miguel Angel Diaz of COPE: “Rabiot’s words? There’s no need to give importance to that.”

Shortly before the Euro 2024 semifinal, Yamal had already sent a subtle reply to Rabiot, posting the following picture on Instagram stories.

Yamal proves Rabiot wrong by helping Spain beat France in Euro 2024 semis

Despite being only 16, the FC Barcelona prodigy proved to have plenty of character and maturity for his age. Only 21 minutes into the game, with Spain trailing 1-0 as Mbappe provided a great assist for Randal Kolo Muani earlier in the match, Yamal fired home a fantastic goal to make things level against France.

That goal immediately lifted Luis de la Fuente’s men, who took the lead only four minutes later with Dani Olmo turning things around. Spain held on to their lead, and eventually gained the upper hand. Even though he’s just a kid, Yamal has already proven one of his doubters wrong.

Yamal to turn 17 a day before the Euro 2024 final with Spain

Yamal’s upcoming birthday will be definitely special for the promising midfielder, who will turn 17 on Saturday, just a day before the UEFA Euro 2024 final, where Spain will play England or the Netherlands in Berlin.

Having broken countless records both with Barcelona and the Spanish national team, Yamal is making a name for himself very early in his career, emerging as the face of a new generation of stars set to take center stage in the years to come.

Didier Deschamps‘ squad qualified second in their group, behind Austria, in what was arguably the toughest group of the tournament, which included the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, and France.

In the Round of 16, Les Bleus faced a formidable Belgium side in a closely contested match. France emerged victorious thanks to an own goal by Jan Vertonghen just five minutes before the end. Now, they must take on CR7 and his team without their crucial midfield player, Adrien Rabiot.

Adrien Rabiot out of quarter-final match against Portugal

Adrien Rabiot will not be able to play in the quarterfinal against Portugal due to accumulating two yellow cards in the tournament, resulting in a one-match suspension.

The former Paris Saint–Germain player received his first yellow card in the final group stage match against Poland and his second in the Round of 16 match against Belgium for a foul on Jeremy Doku.

To fill the void left by Rabiot’s absence, Didier Deschamps is expected to rely on Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, who could step in and play a pivotal role against Portugal.

Even though his performance at Paris Saint-Germain wasn’t great, Leo made a strong case to win his eighth award by putting La Albiceleste on his back with seven goals in as many games in Qatar.

Messi stepped up when it mattered the most for his country, scoring a brace as well as his spot-kick in the final against France. But Adrien Rabiot, who took the field for Les Bleus on December 18, believes the winner should be Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland.

Adrien Rabiot says Mbappe or Haaland should win 2023 Ballon d’Or

“I hear a lot that it’s Messi who is going to get it (Ballon d’Or), but on a sporting level, it will be decided between Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland,“ Rabiot said, via RMC Sport. “To choose one of them would be complicated, it depends on what you base the decision on. Not everyone will agree, but I think it will be between these two.”

Mbappe also had a fantastic campaign in the last World Cup, winning the Golden Boot thanks to his eight goals throughout the competition. The PSG star netted a hat-trick in the final, but it wasn’t enough for France.

Haaland, meanwhile, is also seen as a strong candidate to challenge for the Ballon d’Or after helping Manchester City win the treble (Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup) in his first year in England. But only time will tell who takes home the award.

When is the 2023 Ballon d’Or gala?

The 2023 Ballon d’Or winner will be announced on Monday, October 30 in a ceremony at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.

Who are the 30 nominees for the 2023 Ballon d’Or?

1. Josko Gvardiol (Leipzig / Manchester City)
2. Andre Onana (Inter Milan / Manchester United)
3. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid / Al-Ittihad)
4. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
5. Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich)
6. Randal Kolo Muani (Frankfurt / PSG)
7. Jude Bellingham (Dortmund / Real Madrid)
8. Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
9. Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
10. Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan)
11. Yassine Bounou (Sevilla / Al-Hilal)
12. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
13. Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
14. Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)
15. Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
16. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli)
17. Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
18. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
19. Kim Min-Jae (Napoli / Bayern Munich)
20. Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
21. Julian Alvarez (Manchester City)
22. Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
23. Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City / Barcelona)
24. Rodri (Manchester City)
25. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
26. Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
27. Harry Kane (Tottenham / Bayern Munich)
28. Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
29. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
30. Lionel Messi (PSG / Inter Miami)

Juventus is currently trying to climb the Serie A standings after a poor start and are currently in seventh place. Juventus is reported to be looking to offload various wages to adjust their financial situation and Adrien Rabiot could be one of those players.

Rumors about a possible move for Paul Pogba and whatever happens at Leeds United it looks like USMNT star Weston McKennie will also not return to the club. In Rabiot’s case his contract is set to expire, and he has three big options.

Teams interested in Adrien Rabiot

Adrien Rabiot is reported to have interest from Manchester United, Liverpool, and Tottenham, three of the biggest clubs in the Premier League. “I have always said that I’d like to play in England in my career. I still have that desire. I’d like to evolve in the Premier League,” Rabiot was quoted as saying not too long ago.

This season Rabiot has played 21 games and scored 5 goals in Serie A, and is considered a favorite of Allegri, and while Juve may try to tie down the French star, the considerable hike in wages may be too much to resist.

While they made it to the championship game, they were completely outplayed by Argentina for the whole 75 minutes.They were down two goals, but thanks to a fantastic response, they were able to tie the game and force overtime.It was La Albiceleste who regained the lead after the Europeans had matched the score.

Last but not least, the penalties settled everything, awarding the South Americans their third championship in their history.Despite an injury problem that plagued the Frenchboth before and during the 2022 World Cup, Didier Deschamps‘ boys nevertheless had a remarkable tournament. For instance, Kylian Mbappe won the Golden Boot after scoring eight goals in seven games, including a hat trick in the Final.

What is it aboutKylian Mbappe that annoys Adrien Rabiot?

It has recently come to light that the top player for Paris Saint-Germain has an unusual routine, and one of of his France teammates has pointed it out. Apparently, Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot has joked that Kylian Mbappe “annoys” him in interviews as the squad gets ready to return to domestic play after their World Cup sorrow.

Rabiot was asked by Le Média Carré what he thinks of Mbappe who has been the subject of much media attention recently, and the 27-year-old Juventus acehasrevealed some of the ways in which the World Cup Golden Boot winner has gotten under his skin.

“Kylian Mbappereally irritates me when he changes his voice for interviews. When he talks to us all together, he speaks normally, then in an interview, he changes his voice completely. I don’t know why he does it. It’s irritating and really stresses me out. I think everyone remarked on it”, Rabiot said.

Some of the French players have apparently been making jokes about this in the locker room.If Rabiot can make light of the situation, it’s likely that the French players have already moved on from their disappointment and are concentrating on the remainder of the season with their respective teams.

France does not have the best record when it comes to African nations with three notable losses at the World Cup. Still, nonetheless when it comes to specifically Morocco, France must like their chances having never lost to the African side. Morocco are the darlings of the World Cup, one win away from being the first national team from Africa to reach theFIFA World Cup final.

So why is Juventus star Adrien Rabiot missing completely from the French squad in the semifinal clash between France and Morocco? Find out below!

Why is Adrien Rabiot not in the France squad?

Adrien Rabiot is one of two players in the French squad that fell victim to an illness that spread within the squad. The other player was Dayot Upamecano, who ended up on the bench for the match against Morocco.

France has a 3-0-2 record against Morocco, with this being the most important soccer match in Moroccan history. The winner will meet Lionel Messi and Argentina for the FIFA World Cup on Sunday. The match is expected to have an audience of at least 2 billion people.

The 37-year-old has suggested that he was ‘betrayed‘due to the hierarchy’s attempts to sell him and that he ‘doesn’t show respect‘to manager Erik ten Hag. He furtherrevealed his disagreements with Ralf Rangnick, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s temporary successor, and detailed their history of clashes.

Since Erik ten Hag departed Ajax to become United’s permanent manager this year, things have gone from bad to worse for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner. He even went on to further attack the English side,sayingthere has been ‘zero growth‘since Sir Alex Ferguson resigned in the summer of 2013.

Why Adrien Rabiot is relieved to not have joined Manchester United

A French international player who turned down an offer to join Manchester United this summer has now expressed his ‘luck’in doing so, amid all the club’s recent drama and criticism.Even though United attempted to acquire Adrien Rabiot from Juventus this past summer, the midfielderhas spoken up about why he is happy he did not end up in Red Devils’ colors.

“It’s true, there were contacts with Premier League clubs, but in the end, I was lucky to stay, perhaps it was the best decision. The Premier League is the most followed league, but I don’t think about the future. I am focused on the World Cup. The club and I are in no hurry (over a contract extension), there’s serenity so we can consider all options”,he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

When United’s attempts to sign Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona ran into trouble, the 27-year-oldwas the first player they tried to bring in as a replacement. Initially, it seemed that the Frenchman would be moving to England.

The Old Trafford outfithad reached an agreement with Juventus on a transfer price for the France international, and he was set to join the Red Devils in early August. They had planned to recruit Rabiot as a midfielder, but the deal fell through as Rabiot’s agent demanded exorbitant compensation.

Pogba left the Old Lady in 2016to become the Red Devils’ record signing in a mind-blowing €105 million deal. He struggled to live up to the high expectations at Old Trafford but eventually, he proved to be the world-class player United saw in him.

And now, the club is concerned due to his contract situation as he could leave for free at the end of the season, with a number of sides already linked with Pogba. One of them is his former team, who would be willing to offer him a lucrative salary – if they sell two players first.

Juventus reportedly keen on a Paul Pogba reunion but need to raise funds first

According to La Gazzetta Dello Sport, the Serie A giants want to re-sign Paul Pogba, offering him a contract worth£10 million per season. Although that’s nearly£2 million less than what he reportedly earns at Manchester United, the France international hasn’t ruled out a move next summer.

But the report claims that Juventus need to raise funds to afford this deal, with Aaron Ramsey and Adrien Rabiot possibly beingtransfer listed to make that possible. The former Arsenal star seems to be set for a departure regardless of this move, while Rabiot would only leave to make room for Pogba.

If this move ultimately materializes,history would be repeating itself as Pogba’s arrival at Juve in 2012 was also in a free transfer fromMan United. He went on to win four Serie A titles and two Coppa Italia trophies in a four-year stint in Italy before he returned to England.