France star’s mum ‘blamed Paul Pogba’ and said Kylian Mbappe has a "big head"

Tensions were high for France in the immediate aftermath of their shock defeat to Switzerland in Euro 2020’s last 16, not least of which for Adrien Rabiot’s mother, Veronique.

The Juventus midfielder’s parent and former representative has made headlines in the past for her no-nonsense approach handling her son’s business affairs, rarely settling for less than the best.

That demand for high standards reportedly escalated into a one-sided war of words at the National Arena in Bucharest on Monday when Rabiot Sr. aired her fair share of grievances.

Veronique was captured by cameras directing barbs at Kylian Mbappe’s father, Wilfried, following his decisive penalty miss in the penalty shootout, and is said to have shouted: "It is embarrassing how he struck that, for a player of his level; He hit it too lightly, I hope you are going to scold him."

She had also directed blame towards the family of Paul Pogba, whose lapse in concentration in the middle of the park had allowed the Swiss to equalise at 3-3 and force extra-time.

The Athletic has now quoted a new source ‘with inside knowledge’ of those confrontations and the French family fracas: “Rabiot’s mother is known to be very sensitive and very close to her son and she didn’t appreciate what Pogba’s friends were saying about one of Adrien’s touches.

“So she blamed Pogba for the loss of the ball in midfield (leading to Switzerland’s third goal). Then she went to Mbappe’s father, ‘You better take care of your son because he has a big head and too much protection from the press and I think he’s arrogant.’

“So it’s a mess and she is well known for that at Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.”

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France’s Euro 2020 preparations were already adversely impacted after Mbappe directed blame at Olivier Giroud for publicly airing his frustrations at a lack of attention in their warm-up fixtures.

The dispute surrounding PSG ace Mbappe escalated again when the striker’s team-mates failed to console him following his crucial penalty miss against Switzerland.

The elder Rabiot has in the past held a reputation for being a tough negotiator on behalf of her son, who was played in a less familiar left-sided role against Switzerland in the absence of a more natural fit.

It’s seemingly not only Veronique’s business associates who are targets her sharp tongue, though if reports are to be believed, it was her family member who was criticised first for his performance.

This isn’t the first time a French camp has been dogged by controversy at a major tournament, though tensions had built long before their infamous group-stage exit at the 2010 World Cup.

Raymond Domenech’s squad finished bottom of their pool with a single point from their three games following a difficult qualifying campaign on that occasion.

France had waltzed into Euro 2020 by comparison and were seen as the favourites to clinch the crown prior to the competition, boasting one of the most well-stocked squads on the planet.

Rabiot—who has earned 18 caps since making his senior France debut in 2016—only ended a two-year exile from the national team in September last year.

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The Turin-based talent had refused to join an 11-man standby list for France’s 2018 World Cup campaign after failing to make the cut, leading Didier Deschamps to ignore him altogether.

Although it’s understood Rabiot distanced himself from his mother in a business capacity after failing to secure a 2019 transfer to Barcelona, it appears her ability to steal the spotlight hasn’t wilted.

Deschamps will reportedly keep his place as Les Bleus boss until at least the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but a chasm of controversy currently divides certain stars among the squad.

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