The discreet arrival of N’Golo Kante to the national team has gone viral after the player was re-selected to the French team for the first time in two years.
The former Chelsea player was last selected for Les Bleus by Didier Deschamps in June 2022, the last time before a nagging injury ruined his plans to join the then title holders at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
But a recent run of good form for current club Al-Ittihad has been enough to convince Deschamps of his midfielder’s quality ahead of this summer’s European Championship in Germany.
Ahead of preparations for the tournament, the French internationals walked through the gates of Clairefontaine and took advantage of the cameras focused on them to show off their best pre-tournament looks.
Kante, on the other hand, earned praise for his trademark unassuming appearance, with several fans on social media praising the decorated player for his “humility.”
N’Golo Kanté returns to the national team after two years of absence since the last selection
The 33-year-old midfielder has become famous for his discretion and behavior.
A video of the arrival of the Al-Ittihad player in the rain provoked widespread praise from the fans
Captioning a video of Kante emerging from a French-brand minivan and waving to waiting photographers wearing a brown jacket, beige T-shirt, dark jeans and trainers, one fan called the two-time Premier League winner “Mr. Humble.” .
Another added: “Definition of humble person (frozen emoji).”
A third continued: “I love this guy’s humility.”
Fans were also quick to suggest that his low-key demeanor was related to his unshowy but brilliant playing style on the field, with one commenting: “The man just wanted to play ball his whole life.”
“(Don’t worry) about stardom.”
Another agreed, writing: “I adore this player…on and off the field…sublime personality.”
Kante’s arrival marked a stark contrast to his teammates, especially Jules Kounde, who caused division when he arrived Wednesday wearing a pair of Cuban-heeled boots.
Fans were united in their admiration for Kante’s apparent rejection of the flash associated with fame.
Jules Kounde had previously divided critics over her avant-garde Cuban heel boots.
Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate also opted for a stylish addition to his outfit with sunglasses.
France captain Kylian Mbappé cut a more professional figure in his neutral-toned ensemble.
Armchair fashion critics were quick to mock the Barcelona star for her risk-taking, which she accessorized with a Louis Vuitton clutch.
Instead of greeting the waiting press group, Kounde navigated through the rain from the car to the training ground’s front gate wearing headphones.
Throughout his playing career, Kante has earned a reputation as a humble figure in football, with his former Chelsea team-mate Antonio Rudiger calling the Legion of Honor winner completely ” authentic”.
“Before coming to Chelsea, I had heard all the beautiful stories about him,” Rudiger said of Kante. ‘They said he’s always smiling. They said he still drives an old Mini Cooper.
‘They said he never raises his voice. But you know how football goes, right? Nobody is really like that. There is too much pressure, too much disappointment. We are all humans. Nobody is that cool all the time. It is impossible. Then I met N’Golo.
‘Everything with Kante is authentic. Even the Mini Cooper: people laugh at it, but there is a real story behind it.
Kante was first seen driving the Mini Cooper during his time at Leicester City.
The former Chelsea star previously delighted Blues fans by continuing to drive the car around west London.
After a good season for Al-Ittihad, Kante will make his first tournament appearance with Les Bleus since July 2021.
“It was a dream for Kanté to get to the Premier League, coming from where he came from, and the Mini was the first car he bought when he arrived in England. So for him it’s not just a car. It has a deep meaning.
‘I tell people all the time… There is humble. And there is humble. And then there is N’Golo.
West London fans were often delighted to see Kante driving his cream-coloured Mini to and from Stamford Bridge, but the French international is no stranger to a bigger purchase.
Kante bought Belgian third-tier side Royal Excelsior Virton last summer after completing his £172m transfer to Al-Ittihad.
