Sacre Bleu: From Zidane to Mbappe - A football journey

Kylian Mbappe's talent helped France reach the summit of world football in 2018, erasing years of failure, rancour, and shame. Matthew Spiro's book Sacre Bleu traces the rise, fall, and rise again of Les Bleus through the lens of Mbappe, featuring a foreword by Arsene Wenger and interviews with leading figures in French football.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 352 pages
\n Publication date: 11 May 2021
\n Publisher: Biteback Publishing
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The 1998 FIFA World Cup victory by Zinedine Zidane is a moment etched in the memories of football fans worldwide. However, for Kylian Mbappe, the forward who emerged as a sensation in 2018, the tournament holds no significance. Born years after France's first World Cup triumph, Mbappe's unique talent played a pivotal role in France's remarkable journey to reclaim the top spot in world football in 2018.
The road to this achievement, however, was not without its challenges. For Les Bleus, the years between 1998 and 2018 were marked by bitterly painful lows. Zidane's headbutt, a players' strike, infighting, recriminations, and even sex scandals and blackmail tarnished the reputation of the French team. Mbappe, growing up in the banlieues of Paris, witnessed it all, honing his prodigious talent amidst the turmoil.
Mbappe's story embodies France's journey from disaster to triumph. In Sacre Bleu, Matthew Spiro delves into the rise, fall, and rise again of Les Bleus through the lens of Kylian Mbappe. Featuring a foreword by Arsene Wenger and interviews with leading figures in French football, Spiro explores what went wrong for France and what ultimately led to their resurgence.
The book provides a captivating account of Mbappe's journey from a young prospect in the French youth system to a global superstar. It sheds light on the factors that shaped his development, including his upbringing in a deprived area and the guidance of his mentors. Mbappe's rise to prominence also coincided with France's gradual recovery from the setbacks of the past.
Sacre Bleu offers valuable insights into the dynamics of the French team, the challenges they faced, and the strategies employed by their coaches and players. It sheds light on the cultural and societal factors that influenced French football, and how they contributed to the team's success.
Overall, Sacre Bleu is a must-read for football fans, especially those interested in the history and development of French football. It provides a fresh perspective on the journey of Les Bleus, and showcases the remarkable talent and resilience of Kylian Mbappe.

\n Weight: 338g\n
Dimension: 128 x 199 x 29 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781785906602\n \n