Without any sense of restraint, the president of the French Football Federation, Noël Le Graët, ” loose “ in a statement on Sunday about soccer legend Zinedine Zidane.
On the airwaves of RMC Sport, the boss of the FFF, Noël Le Graët, was questioned about the future of Zinedine Zidane, named three times best player in the world by FIFA (1998, 2000, 2003) and twice ranked second best French footballer in history, or on a possible contact between the two.
Without mincing words, Noël Le Graët replied: “ Zidane in Brazil? I don’t care, he can go where he wants! He can go where he wants, in a club… selection, I hardly believe it as far as he is concerned. If Zidane tried to reach me? Certainly not, I wouldn’t even have taken him on the phone. To tell him to look for another club? Make him a special show so that he finds a club or a selection “.
An offensive media outlet which cost him an unprecedented lynching on social networks, in particular by fans of the French legend. Even within the selection, the reactions were quick to fall.
Indeed, the striker of the France team and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Kylian Mbappé, did not fail to respond to the words of the president of the FFF in a tweet by declaring: “ Zidane is France, we don’t disrespect the legend like that... “, launched the future best player in the world.
Zidane is France, we don’t disrespect the legend like that… 🤦🏽♂️
— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) January 8, 2023
Also, Real Madrid, Zidane’s former team, as a player and coach, also reacted by way of communicating to Noël Le Graët’s remarks by declaring: “ Real regrets these unfortunate statements against one of the greatest legends of sport. It’s a lack of respect “.
Comunicado Official#Real Madrid
— Real Madrid CF (@realmadrid) January 9, 2023
After this attack misplaced” of the president of the FFF and the controversy that swelled in less than 24 hours, Le Graët decided to apologize publicly, in a press release Monday morning, declaring: “ These awkward remarks created a misunderstanding. I would like to apologize for these remarks which absolutely do not reflect my thoughts, nor my consideration for the player he was and the coach he has become. “.
For the football legend, it’s total calm. According to sources close to his family who confided in the French press, Zidane will not make any hot reaction.