Adrien Rabiot has publicly criticized the behavior of some France teammates following their disappointing 6-4 defeat to England in the World Cup third-place play-off. France suffered a difficult first half, trailing 4-0 by the break, a performance that Rabiot described as a disgraceful display.
Reflecting on the match, Rabiot noted that he witnessed behavior from certain players that he had never seen before. He expressed deep disappointment, stating that the team failed to capitalize on their final chance to leave a positive impression. While the squad felt significant disappointment following their semi-final loss to Spain, Rabiot emphasized that they still had a professional obligation to finish the tournament with pride. He noted that the team held a discussion at halftime, which led to a stronger second-half performance, though he maintained that the initial behavior remained unacceptable.
Despite the frustration of the defeat, Rabiot expressed continued support for manager Didier Deschamps, insisting that the result does not diminish the achievements Deschamps has secured over his tenure. Rabiot admitted that the final days of the tournament were mentally taxing and that he is looking forward to a well-deserved holiday.
Looking toward his club career, Rabiot confirmed he will return to AC Milan for his second season at the San Siro. He plans to meet with the club's new coach, Ruben Amorim, once he returns from his break. Amorim, formerly the boss at Manchester United, was appointed after Milan failed to qualify for the 2025-26 Champions League, leading to the dismissal of Massimiliano Allegri. Allegri, who maintained a strong relationship with Rabiot and played a key role in his signing a year ago, has since signed a three-year contract with Napoli.
“I’m starting again with Milan, of course. Then I’ll speak with the new coach,” he said.
“Before this, I preferred to focus on the World Cup and not be distracted by other matters. The holidays are well-deserved. These have been truly difficult days mentally.”
