Kylian Mbappe has urged his fellow French citizens to reject the far right in the country’s national parliamentary elections.
The unexpected poll, triggered by France’s president Emmanuel Macron after Marine Le Pen’s National Rally won the European elections, will take place on July 7 during the European Championship.
Speaking at a press conference on the eve of France’s opening match of the tournament against Austria, Mbappe backed up team-mate Marcus Thuram by weighing into the political debate.
“We are at a crucial moment in the history of the country,” said the 25-year-old.
“We are citizens above all, we must not be disconnected from the world. We are in an unprecedented situation. I want to address all the French people and the young generation in particular.
“We see that the extremes are at the gates of power. We have the possibility to change everything.
“I hope my voice will carry as much as possible. We need to identify with values of tolerance, respect, diversity. Every voice counts. I hope we will make the right choice and that we will be proud to wear this jersey again on July 7.”
