Sampaoli Sparks Controversy: Slams French Superstar’s ‘Autistic’ Playing Style

In a recent interview, former Argentina national team coach Jorge Sampaoli has caused a major stir in France with his controversial comments about the playing style of French superstar Ousmane Dembélé. Sampaoli, who has had experience in French football during his stint with Olympique de Marseille between 2021 and 2022, did not hold back when asked about the performance of the French national team in the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament.

Sampaoli, who is currently without a club after his last stint with Flamengo, took the opportunity to reflect on his career and grant interviews, one of which has sparked outrage in France due to his scathing criticism of Dembélé. The former La Roja coach used controversial words to criticize the current Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) player, stating that he plays like an autist.

Sampaoli’s Harsh Criticism of Dembélé and Mbappé

In his comments, Sampaoli elaborated on his assessment of Dembélé’s playing style, saying: When everything gets out of control, the other players are like spectators who watch how the action will end. They know that (Dembélé) plays like an autist: he starts the action and finishes it alone.

Going even further in his criticism, Sampaoli made it clear that, from his perspective, Dembélé does not have the ability to make his teammates shine, and that he only knows how to shine himself. The Argentine coach also included Kylian Mbappé in his assessment, stating that Mbappé is a bit the same.

Sampaoli’s Concerns About the French National Team

Despite acknowledging that France has an extraordinary national team, Sampaoli identified a key flaw in the team led by Didier Deschamps. He stated: Despite their enormous individual abilities, due to the lack of passers and combined play, the team depends entirely on its solidity and a good day from its offensive players. It is not my concept of football.

Reigniting the French-Argentine Rivalry

Sampaoli’s comments have already sparked a strong reaction in France, with the French media outlet RMC Sport ironically reporting the news and writing on X: This will not reconcile the French and the Argentines. The long-standing rivalry between French and Argentine football fans has once again been reignited by Sampaoli’s controversial statements.

Conclusion

Jorge Sampaoli’s scathing criticism of Ousmane Dembélé’s playing style, likening it to that of an ‘autist’, has caused a major stir in France and reignited the long-standing rivalry between French and Argentine football fans. Sampaoli’s comments have not only questioned the abilities of Dembélé and Mbappé but have also raised concerns about the French national team’s reliance on individual talent rather than a cohesive team play. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the French football community will respond to Sampaoli’s provocative statements.