Most newly-crowned world champions from France play abroad. In fact, 10 of 11 players who started the final against Croatia - with the exception of Kylian Mbappe - do not represent Ligue 1 clubs. Yet overall 8 of 23 team’s squad members still play in their homeland. Who are they, how much did they play at the World Cup and what is their chance to move abroad this summer?

Kylian Mbappe, 19 years old, Paris Saint-Germain

At just 19, the French prodigy is already compared with the greatest players of all times. At the World Cup, he was one of the key figures at Les Bleus. He finished the tournament with four goals and became the second player under the age of 20 after Pele to score in the final match. Besides, Mbappe was elected the best young player of the tournament. Despite his young age, Kylian has already had two great seasons in Ligue under his belt - actually he became a French champion both with Monaco and PSG. This summer, there have been rumours that the young striker might move to Real Madrid or some other foreign club, but Mbappe is committed to stay in Paris. In the new season, he will play with the number 7, just like his idol Cristiano Ronaldo.

Nabil Fekir, 25, Lyon

At the World Cup, he never started for France, but was used as a substitute in six matches, including the final against Croatia. And at Lyon, Fekir has been a key figure for a few seasons now, and he was elected the team captain last year. He has attracted a lot of attention from foreign clubs and was about to move to Liverpool this summer, but the transfer fell through because of some medical concerns. Lyon bosses declare that they want Nabil to stay for another year, but some reports suggest that his move to Liverpool is still possible until the transfer deadline in England on 9 August.

Djibril Sidibe, 26, Monaco

After Monaco won the national title in 2017, Sidibe had a few lucrative offers from abroad, but decided to stay in France in order to better prepare for the World Cup. He was seen as Les Blues’ first-choice right back, but in Russia, the national coach Didier Deschamps clearly preferred Benjamin Pavard. Sidibe’s participation in the tournament was limited to a single game against Denmark (0-0), which hardly increased his value. Before the World Cup, there were hardly any doubts that Djibril would move abroad, but now it looks more and more likely that he will stay on at Monaco.

Florian Thauvin, 25, Marseille

Last season, he was clearly the best Marseille player, and Thauvin’s 26 goals and 18 assists in all competitions made the national coach Didier Deschamps find a place for him in the squad that ultimately won the World Cup. In Russia, the winger played just one minute, replacing Kylian Mbappe in the Last 16 match against Argentina (4:3). However, Florian’s price has increased and now is estimated at about 50 million euros. Roma are eager to buy him, but Marseille are not sure whether they should sell their leader. Besides, once Florian has already left Marseille for Newcastle, but his English adventure was a failure - and he came back to shine in Ligue 1 again.

Presnel Kimpembe, 23, Paris Saint-Germain

Born in the Paris region, he graduated from PSG academy to make his way into the first team. Each year, the central back played more and more for the club, and his game impressed Didier Deschamps who called the young players up for the World Cup. In Russia, he started the group match against Denmark (0:0) and ultimately won the title. Now it is not likely that Kimpembe is going to leave PSG - the best way for him is to further progress in the French capital.

Adil Rami, 32, Marseille

The veteran did not play a single game in Russia, yet he attracted enough attention - his girlfriend Pamela Andersson attended the tournament, and his teammates touched Rami’s moustache and beard before each game, which presumably brought them good luck. After France won the World Cup, the defender announced his retirement from the national team, and he could not find a better time for that decision. As for his club career, Rami has travelled enough as he played at Valencia, Milan and Selilla, but now he is hardly going to move anywhere from Marseille.


Steve Mandanda, 32, Marseille

The same can be said about Rami’s Marseille teammate Mandanda, who has already had an experience of playing abroad - but his single season at Crystal Palace was hardly a success. And at Velodrome, Steve is already almost a club legend, especially after winning the World Cup. In Russia, Mandanda role was limited to one match against Denmark, but he is a world champion, and this is the highlight of a career.

Alphonse Areola, 25, Paris Saint-Germain

Paradoxically, but true: without playing a single game for France, the goalkeeper became the world champion. He was included into the 23-man squad following a successful season at PSG, where Unai Emeri preferred him to Kevin Trapp. But now Paris got the legendary Gigi Buffon, so Areola’s role may be reduced. In that situation, it is probably better for him to move elsewhere, and the interest from Chelsea and Roma suggest that Alphonse is in demand.