"You play for all French people," Michel Platini urged Kylian Mbappé not to take a political stance when playing for the French national team.

Invited on RTL this Friday, Michel Platini, a legend of French football, urged Kylian Mbappé not to take a political stance when he wears the armband or the jersey of the French national team.

Michel Platini thinks people are being too harsh on Kylian Mbappé. A guest on RTL this Friday, the former French playmaker, winner of Euro 1984, defended the Real Madrid striker against the heavy criticism he has faced this season. "Yes, I think (people are being too hard on him)," he declared. "Kylian is doing his job perfectly well, he's evolved in his game, he's less of a playmaker, more of a goalscorer and playmaker. He's been the top scorer in Spain with Real for two years now. We're being very hard on Kylian, but we're focusing more on his off-field stances than on-field ones. The atmosphere has been more complicated."

"He's right to take a stand... when he's not wearing the captain's armband for the French national team."

For Michel Platini, the 2018 World Cup winner should refrain from any political commentary, especially when playing for the French national team. In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Mbappé revisited his stance before the 2024 parliamentary elections, calling for mobilization against "extremism." "People sometimes think that because you have money, because you're famous, these problems don't affect you," he told the American magazine in response to Jordan Bardella, president of the National Rally, who questioned his legitimacy to voice his opinion. "But it affects me, because I know what it means, and I know what could happen to my country if these people take power. We are citizens. We have the right to express our opinions, like everyone else."

Michel Platini says he understands Mbappé but advises him to keep his opinions to himself, especially while wearing the French national team jersey. "He's right to express them when he's not wearing the captain's armband or the French national team jersey," he explains. "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 French people. It's difficult to take a position."

"We must try to speak without saying anything."

The three-time Ballon d'Or winner (1983, 1984, 1985) clarified his point. "He can take a stand, quite the contrary. It's good when intelligent people take a stand on social issues. Footballers aren't necessarily idiots; some of them are quite intelligent." But he would advise him to take inspiration from other footballers who are less outspoken. "I would tell him that the current situation, communication, and social media mean he should take some inspiration from what Zidane, Messi, or Ronaldo have done, who don't take a stand on much. As soon as you take a stand, you'll upset half the world. You have to be careful and try to speak without saying anything."

"Athletes are public figures, and when public figures take a stand, they are criticized. Perhaps he should speak a little less unless he takes responsibility for everything he says. And Kylian does take responsibility."