PSG's Mbappe wants to represent France at Tokyo Olympics

By Sports Desk May 18, 2021

Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe said he is dreaming of playing for France at the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Mbappe and world champions France are preparing for the rescheduled Euro 2020, which gets underway next month.

As Didier Deschamps' Les Bleus eye European glory, Mbappe also wants to represent his country at the Tokyo Games, starting in July.

"For us, having recognition from the whole country is very important," the 22-year-old Mbappe told TF1.

"Everyone knows that my dream has always been to take part at the Olympic Games and I hope I will be able to realise one of my lifelong dreams."

France have been drawn alongside hosts Japan, Mexico and South Africa in Group A at the Olympics.

Led by Under-21 boss Sylvain Ripoll at the Olympics, France are scheduled to open their campaign against Mexico on July 22.

On his short-term objections, Mbappe said: "The objective is always the same - to try to win the Euros to bring happiness to the French people.

"We have a team which is capable of competing for it. We always want to win. If we do win it, it will bring a great deal of joy.

"We are going to prepare well for the tournament with the hope of going far. We will be trying to bring the trophy back to France."

 

Related items

  • Djokovic makes dominant start to Olympic gold medal bid Djokovic makes dominant start to Olympic gold medal bid

    Novak Djokovic began his latest Olympic gold medal bid with a statement victory over Australia's Matthew Ebden at Roland-Garros.

    The 24-time major winner took just 53 minutes to wrap up a comprehensive 6-0 6-1 rout on Court Philippe-Chatrier, to set up a potential second-round clash with Rafael Nadal.

    Djokovic won bronze on his Olympic debut in 2008, but missed out on a medal after finishing fourth in 2012 and 2020, while he was beaten in round one in Rio by eventual silver medallist Juan Martin del Potro eight years ago.

    However, there was no danger of a repeat of the latter this time around. The Serb took just 24 minutes to wrap up a dominant first set, in which he bageled his helpless opponent.

    Ebden remained in positive spirits despite his ordeal. At one stage, he offered his racquet to the crowd, who gave him a wonderful reception when he won his first game of the contest at the 11th attempt.

    Nevertheless, it only briefly delayed the inevitable, with Djokovic cruising to the finish line.

    Data Debrief: Dominant Djokovic soars into second round

    There was no messing around from the 24-time major winner on Saturday, as he was done and dusted in just under an hour at Roland-Garros.

    He converted six of his nine break-point opportunities, while winning 14 of 19 net points (74%).

    The identity of his second-round opponent is still to be decided, but we could well see a blockbuster clash with Nadal.

     

  • Jamaica's Ashley McKenzie eliminated in Round of 16 in men’s 60kg Judo Jamaica's Ashley McKenzie eliminated in Round of 16 in men’s 60kg Judo

    Jamaican Judoka Ashley McKenzie has been eliminated from the men’s 60kg Judo competition at the Paris Olympics at the Round of 16 stage after suffering a 1-0 loss to Turkey’s Salih Yildiz.

    Yildiz secured a 1-0 victory over the Great Britain-born Jamaican by throwing a kata-guruma, one of the traditional forty throws of Judo.

    McKenzie made history earlier on Saturday with his 10-0 win over Yemen’s Hesham Makabr in preliminary rounds, his first Olympic win competing for the land of wood and water.

  • Postecoglou hails 'fantastic' youngster Moore after late Vissel Kobe winner Postecoglou hails 'fantastic' youngster Moore after late Vissel Kobe winner

    Ange Postecoglou saluted "fantastic" Mikey Moore, after the teenager struck a late winner in Tottenham's J-League World Challenge clash with Vissel Kobe.

    The 16-year-old was the hero with his 88th-minute strike sealing a 3-2 victory at the Japan National Stadium in what was Spurs' first match in their preseason tour of the Far East.

    Academy graduate Moore became Tottenham's youngest Premier League player when, aged 16 years and 277 days, he made his senior debut against Manchester City in the penultimate game of last season.

    And Postecoglou insists the England youth international, who has scored 10 goals in 12 appearances at under-17 level, is deserving of his first-team opportunities.

    "Mikey has been fantastic since we brought him in," he told reporters during his post-match press conference. "He's earned his spot on the roster at the moment; he did at the end of last year.

    "He got a run with the first team because we could see in training that he was handling himself really well, and that's followed through into pre-season training.

    "He's been good in all the games; he probably should have had three tonight, but he did take his goal well by being in the right areas.

    "All we can do is keep allowing him to develop. We have to remember that, last year, he had some injuries, and he is only 16.

    "I think the future with a lot of our young guys looks pretty promising, but it's our responsibility to make sure they realise their potential and continue to work hard at their game."

    Spurs made it three wins from three during preseason, following their 5-1 and 2-0 victories over Hearts and Queens Park Rangers respectively.

    "I thought it was a good game," Postecoglou added. "The conditions did make it difficult for both teams, and we've had a hard week of training.

    "Credit to the boys. I thought we played some decent football, and they put in as much effort as they humanly could out there.

    "You want to provide some sort of entertainment for the supporters who made a great turnout tonight, not just Spurs supporters, but football supporters in general. It's always nice to give back in that way and, overall, I was pleased."

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.