FANS slammed Emmanuel Macron as the French president was cold-shouldered when trying to console heroic World Cup final loser Kylian Mbappe.
Viewers reckons Mbappe told his nation’s leader to “get away from me” as Macron grabbed and hugged France’s hat-trick star after the agony of seeing Argentina win a shootout.
The president was accused of attempting to score political points after he came on the field when his countrymen were at their most shell-shocked.
Macron persisted in patting Mbappe, pulled the PSG striker close and cradled his head.
But he got a chilly response as the 23-year-old never looked at the president and seemed to regard his behaviour as intrusive.
Macron also joined Argentina’s Aston Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez in attempting to comfort Mbappe when he sat on the turf disconsolate.
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But fans were sceptical over his motives and objected to how reluctant he seemed to be to leave Mbappe alone.
One said: “Mbappe clearly doesn’t want Macron all over him trying to get political points.”
Another noted Macron’s grip on the frontman’s arm and posted: “Mbappe wants to get away from Macron so bad but he ain’t letting him go.”
Similar observations flooded in, such as: “Mbappe doesn’t care about Macron at all.”
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In essence, fans were annoyed by what they saw as Macron failing to read the room.
One viewer wrote: “Not the moment, mate: Mbappe and Deschamps both completely blank President Macron.”
Another claimed: “Macron is utterly desperate for a reaction from Mbappe but in three major efforts, the striker gives him no eye contact, and no photo opportunity.”
Likewise: “Mbappe does NOT wanna be Macron’s mate. He should stop touching his face.”
The pacy attacker had become only the second man, after England’s 1966 hero Geoff Hurst, to net a World Cup final hat-trick.
Mbappe’s treble, including two penalties, led France’s 3-3 comeback draw.
He also thumped home his shootout effort but Argentina still won it 4-2.
