Kylian Mbappe has admitted that the very public disagreement between him and Olivier Giroud has affected his Euro 2020 build-up.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward is tipped to be one of the stars of the tournament, with France set to begin their campaign against Germany on Tuesday night.
However, the world champions have endured a difficult final week of preparations with rumours of disharmony among Didier Deschamps’ richly talented squad.
Olivier Giroud scored a brace in Les Bleus’ final warm-up game as they put Bulgaria to the sword, winning 4-0 at the Parc des Princes.
Despite his goalscoring exploits, the Chelsea veteran appeared to aim a dig at his striking colleague, alluding to the fact he was ignored after making positive runs.
"I was a little quiet because, sometimes, I make runs and the balls aren’t forthcoming,” Giroud explained.
“I am not saying that I always make the best runs but I am seeking to offer solutions in the box."
That very public proclamation reportedly incensed Mbappe, who pleaded with his manager to be allowed a right of reply in his own press conference.
That request was dismissed, with Deschamps moving to pour cold water over any suggestions of a serious bust-up.
He said: "If you received the ball after each time you called for it, it is always the same.
"The attacker says: 'I am making runs, but it's on the midfield.' The midfielders will say that it is on the attackers.
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“Sometimes, the pass isn't forthcoming, sometimes it is down the movement. But this is not a stigmatisation of Kylian or whoever."
Mbappe however, has confirmed the row has impacted his own personal build-up, pointing to Giroud's very different attitude within the France dressing room.
In France's pre-match press conference, he said: "I spoke with Olivier Giroud. Everyone knows what happened.
"It is true that I was a little affected by it. But we are not going to make a big deal about it because we are here to represent France, that is the most important thing.
"It is more that he said it publicly than the fact that he said it. I saw him in the dressing room and he didn't say anything to me.”
Mbappe concluded: "He expressed a feeling that I have had 365 times during a match."
Deschamps has a big decision to make ahead of their opener in Munich, with a wealth of attacking options at his disposal.
Karim Benzema is back in the France squad after a six-year exodus and is expected to be handed a start, despite Giroud’s brilliant track record for the national side.
