Sacre Bleu: 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. However, the road between these two highs was blighted by bitterly painful lows, including Zidane's headbutt, a players' strike, infighting, recriminations, and sex scandals. Mbappe witnessed it all, honing his prodigious talent in the banlieues of Paris as the nation threatened to implode.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 352 pages
\n Publication date: 01 May 2020
\n Publisher: Biteback Publishing
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The Enigma of Kylian Mbappe

The gifted young forward, Kylian Mbappe, doesn't have a memory of when Zinedine Zidane lifted the World Cup in 1998. However, it was Mbappe's unique talent that helped France reach the summit of world football once again in 2018, erasing years of failure, rancour, and shame. These two crowning achievements made Les Bleus the envy of the world, but the road between these two highs was blighted by bitterly painful lows. Zidane's headbutt, a player's strike, infighting, recriminations, even sex scandals, and blackmail. This was also a turbulent time for French society, as the promise of racial harmony in 1998 gave way to rising tensions and riots. Mbappe witnessed it all, honing his prodigious talent in the banlieues of Paris as the nation threatened to implode. His story embodies France's journey from disaster to triumph; football's hottest new property growing up in a troubled neighbourhood and inspiring a divided country on and off the pitch.

Sacre Bleu: The Rise, Fall, and Rise Again of Les Bleus

In Sacre Bleu, Matthew Spiro traces 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, including Marcel Desailly, Lilian Thuram, Emmanuel Petit, Robert Pires, and Olivier Giroud, Spiro asks what went wrong for France and what, ultimately, went right.

The Promise of 1998

In 1998, France was a country in turmoil. The promise of racial harmony that had emerged after the civil rights movement of the 1960s had faded, and tensions were rising between different communities. However, the French team, led by Zidane, managed to unite the nation behind them as they embarked on their World Cup journey.

The Headbutt

One of the most memorable moments of the 1998 World Cup was Zidane's headbutt on Marco Materazzi. The French midfielder was sent off for the incident, but his team went on to win the final against Brazil, securing their first World Cup title in 20 years.

The Players' Strike

Just a few months after the 1998 World Cup, the French players went on strike in protest against the poor pay and conditions they were facing. The strike lasted for several weeks, causing chaos in the French football league and leading to the resignation of the French Football Federation president.

The Infighting and Recriminations

Despite their success in 1998, the French team faced internal divisions and recriminations. Zidane was accused of being selfish and arrogant, while some players blamed the coach for not giving them enough playing time. The infighting continued into the 2000s, with the French team failing to reach the World Cup final again.

The Sex Scandal and Blackmail

In 2005, a sex scandal involving several French players, including Mbappe, emerged. The players were accused of sexually assaulting a young woman in a hotel room in the Czech Republic. The scandal caused further embarrassment for the French football federation and led to the resignation of several senior officials.

The Road to 2018

Despite the setbacks and controversies, the French team continued to strive for success. Mbappe, who was just 18 years old at the time, emerged as a rising star, and his talent and skill on the pitch helped France reach the World Cup final in 2018.

The Triumph of Mbappe

In the final against Croatia, Mbappe scored a stunning goal to help France secure their second World Cup title in 20 years. His performance was hailed as one of the greatest in World Cup history, and he became a national hero in France.

The Legacy of 1998

The 1998 World Cup victory not only brought joy to the French people but also helped to unite the nation behind the team. It was a moment of national pride and a symbol of the resilience and determination of the French people.

The Future of French Football

The future of French football is uncertain, but with the talent and determination of players like Mbappe, there is hope for a bright future. The French team has a rich history and a passionate fan base, and with the right leadership and investment, they can once again become a dominant force in world football.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Kylian Mbappe's story is a testament to the power of football to inspire and unite people. Despite the challenges and setbacks that the French team faced, they managed to overcome them and achieve greatness. Mbappe's talent and skill on the pitch have helped to inspire a divided country, and his journey from a troubled neighbourhood to the summit of world football is a story that will be remembered for generations to come.

\n Weight: 478g\n
Dimension: 144 x 223 x 35 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781785905544\n \n