Put some respect on Zidane's name, fumes Mbappe on the chief of the French FA

France and Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe has confronted French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet for "disrespect" towards Zinedine Zidane.

Le Graet and current Les Bleus coach Didier Deschamps announced that the French tactician would stay in place until after the next FIFA World Cup on Saturday after Zidane had been touted as a potential replacement for Deschamps if the 2022 Qatar campaign did not go according to plan. Asked what Zidane would do now that Deschamps is staying on, Le Graet showed quite a disrespect for the legendary man. 

"I would be surprised if he went there," said Le Graet of Zidane's Brazil links on RMC Sport. "But he can do as he wants. It is of no concern to me. We never met (Le Graet and Zidane) and we (the FFF) never considered parting ways with Didier. I could not care less. He can go where he wishes - to a big club, a national team. Certainly not (asked if Zidane tried to reach him by phone) - I would not even have taken the call."

This sort of statement backfired heavily and hit Le Graet himself, especially after Kylian Mbappe took to Twitter to defend Zidane, one of his childhood idols.

"Zidane is France, you cannot disrespect such a legend like that," he wrote on Twitter. 

Now, Los Blancos have also issued a statement, which reads as follows: "Real Madrid CF regrets the unfortunate statements made by the president of the French Football Federation, Noel Le Graet, about Zinedine Zidane, one of the greatest legends of world sport."

Stating that Le Graet's words demonstrate a lack of respect towards Zidane and what he means to the game, Real Madrid stated that they want the FFF President to rectify his statements.

"Zinedine Zidane, world champion and European champion defending his country's jersey, among many other titles, represents the values ​​of sport and has demonstrated this throughout his professional career as a player and as a coach."

On top of that, Real Madrid also criticised Le Graet for his statements on current Real Madrid captain Karim Benzema as well, saying:

"The statements by the president of the French Football Federation are inappropriate for someone who holds that representation and disqualify themselves, like the ones he also makes about our captain Karim Benzema, current Ballon d'Or, champion of the League of Nations with France in 2021 and winner of 5 Champions League, among many other titles."

Finally, France's Minister for Sports Amelie Oudea-Castera later called for Le Graet to apologize for showing a lack of respect towards Zidane, who won the World Cup for France as a player. That apology has now arrived. In an interview with AFP, transcribed by RMC Sport, Le Graet said that his "clumsy comments have created a misunderstanding" and that he "gives his apologies" to Zidane.