The goalkeeper of the French national team criticized the squad in the locker room following their defeat to Italy

French national team goalkeeper Mike Maignan sharply criticized his teammates after their 1-3 defeat to Italy in the opening match of the Nations League group stage.

According to Get French Football News, citing L’Equipe, Maignan was one of the first to enter the locker room after the game and began expressing his dissatisfaction. However, he delivered particularly pointed criticism only when all the players had gathered.

It is reported that Maignan rebuked his teammates for their "lack of effort" and poor physical condition. In his two-minute speech, the goalkeeper criticized the collective mindset, stating that while only two players from the Italian team would have made it into the French squad, it was the opponents who showed the desire to win the match and demonstrated aggression.

Following his remarks, none of Maignan's teammates "dared to speak up." Silence fell over the locker room, and neither captain Kylian Mbappé nor vice-captain Antoine Griezmann addressed the team.

France's next match will take place on September 9 against Belgium.