Did Cherki Snub Deschamps? The Moment Raising Eyebrows After France’s Rout of Sweden

A comfortable win, an uncomfortable moment. France booked their place in the World Cup round of 16 with a dominant victory over Sweden, but it’s a brief clip from the final whistle that’s dominating the conversation. Cameras appear to catch Rayan Cherki brushing past Didier Deschamps without acknowledging him, fuelling speculation about friction within the Les Bleus camp.

The Moment That Raised Questions at the Final Whistle

The clip, first shared by Goal.com and picked up by AFP, shows Cherki walking past Deschamps without eye contact or a handshake during the celebrations. The Manchester City playmaker, who came on for a brief late cameo, made no visible attempt to engage with his manager.

The lack of acknowledgement stood out against the backdrop of a jubilant French squad celebrating qualification. The footage has since spread quickly on social media, reigniting questions about the mood inside the France dressing room.

Cherki Still Fighting for a Role Under Deschamps

Since his move to Manchester City in the Premier League, Cherki has often struggled for meaningful minutes on international duty, with competition for attacking midfield spots fierce. His late introduction against Sweden underlines a bench role he appears to be struggling to accept.

There’s been no official confirmation of what triggered the moment, but several observers point to frustration over limited playing time, despite Cherki’s strong club form this season.

What It Means for France’s World Cup Run

On the pitch, none of this changes France’s qualification for the round of 16. Deschamps, however, is likely to face questions on the matter at his next press conference before the following fixture.

For now, neither player nor manager has commented publicly on the incident. Whether it turns out to be a passing moment or a sign of deeper tension will become clearer as the tournament progresses.

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