Manchester City midfielder Ryan Cherki made a cameo appearance on the bench in France’s World Cup victory over Sweden but was clearly unhappy after the final whistle.
Ryan Cherki was named on the bench for France’s win over Sweden (Image: Europa Press Sports/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Manchester City star Ryan Cherki was seen ignoring France boss Didier Deschamps in an awkward moment following their latest World Cup win.
France beat Sweden 3-0 in their last-16 match in North America to book their place in the round of 16 stage of the tournament, where they will face Paraguay on Saturday.
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe scored twice and Bradley Barcola also scored as France eased their way through.
Cherki was named on the bench by Deschamps and came on in the 85th minute to replace Mbappe in the closing stages of the match in New Jersey.
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After the final whistle, footage emerged of Cherki walking across the field and being greeted by Deschamps.
However, the Manchester City star did not appear to greet the France coach at first before eventually giving a brief greeting to his manager.
Cherki then stopped to pull up his socks as Deschamps continued to try to talk to the City playmaker.
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Cherki will now hope to get more minutes under his belt when France face Paraguay in the round of 16. The match will take place on Saturday evening (kick-off 10pm UK time) in Philadelphia.
Deschamps praised the French team’s cohesion after the win over Sweden, with the head coach recently returning to France following the death of his mother before reuniting with the players.
“The team was united. They did what needed to be done while I was gone, and it was better that I wasn’t there, both for them and for me,” Deschamps said.
Didier Deschamps praised France’s cohesion after beating Sweden (Image: Xia Bohan/VCG via Getty Images)
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“But as soon as I came back, they knew I was with them, which was very good. The team mentality in itself does not win matches, but I know too well that it can cause them to be lost.”
He added: “We’ve seen other knockout matches. It’s difficult for everyone. For us it was less difficult because we executed our game plan very well, but we’ve only just reached the round of 16,” added the Les Blais coach.
“We know what awaits us in four days. We will have to repeat this performance against an opponent with different qualities, although it is clear that France have very talented players. And when they play with this attitude and concentration, it is excellent.”
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