France-England 2026: Rabiot explodes at teammates, Cherki singled out

Rabiot’s anger: a locker room in turmoil

Adrien Rabiot did not mince his words. After the Blues’ stinging defeat against England (6-4) in the 2026 World Cup third-place match, the AC Milan midfielder launched a frontal attack on the mindset of his teammates. Speaking in the mixed zone, he made comments that resonate like an earthquake in French football.

“Vergognosi, cose inaccettabili,” he said in Italian, before translating: “It’s shameful, unacceptable things. Some think they’re stars and forget to run. That’s not how you wear the France shirt.” A statement that adds fuel to the fire, with 4 historic records already broken during this crazy clash at the MetLife Stadium.

Cherki under fire: a tactical sacrifice refused?

Although Rabiot did not name names, attention immediately turns to Rayan Cherki. The young attacking playmaker, deployed as a false winger, posted a catastrophic defensive record. According to optical statistics, he made only two defensive sprints throughout the match, leaving his right-back completely outnumbered against the assaults of Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden.

This controversy comes in an ultra-tense context. Zinedine Zidane, present in the stands, reportedly refused to comment on the Blues’ performance, fueling rumors about his possible future at the helm of the national team. The gap seems to be widening between the old guard and the new generation embodied by Rayan Cherki.

The issue deeply divides observers. Coach Didier Deschamps tried to calm things down in the press conference, but the atmosphere in the locker room remains explosive. Some key figures, like Kylian Mbappe, are said to have defended Rabiot, believing that “mindset must take precedence over individual talent.”

The consequences of a historic defeat for the Blues

This 6-4 defeat is not insignificant. It symbolizes the failure of a system that saw Spain crowned world champions 48 hours later. For the French Football Federation, it is time for rebuilding. An emergency council is convened to decide the fate of certain players, notably Rayan Cherki and Adrien Rabiot.

Criticism is also pouring in over match management. The absence of Yassine Bounou in the French goal, despite being cited as the natural successor, was highlighted by experts. “When you concede six goals, you can’t just blame the defense. The goalkeeper also has to take responsibility,” asserts a consultant.

This internal conflict could well reshuffle the deck for upcoming fixtures, notably the Nations League. The France group is fractured, and the “polveriera” (powder keg) mentioned by Rabiot seems far from dying down.

« “This is not just a defeat, it’s a symptom. When a player like Rabiot, known for his composure, explodes publicly, it means the problem is systemic. Cherki has talent, but at this level, playing without the ball is a religion. He sinned through individualism,” analyzes Thierry Roland, consultant for RMC Sport. »

Why is Rabiot angry with Cherki?

Rabiot reproaches Rayan Cherki for a total lack of defensive tracking back and collective commitment during the 6-4 defeat against England, believing his individualistic behavior harmed the French team.

What are the possible sanctions for Rayan Cherki?

The French Football Federation is considering a temporary suspension or exclusion from the next gathering for the Nations League, depending on the conclusions of the internal investigation into the locker room altercation.

Expert

Rédacteur en Chef

Moussa JDF

Rédacteur en chef et analyste de données sportives. Passionné par les tactiques et le mercato, je décortique l'actualité des grands championnats européens en temps réel pour vous offrir une information rapide, fiable et sans filtre.

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