Adrien Rabiot: France’s Controversial Midfielder Becomes Key to World Cup Hopes

Adrien Rabiot has long been a figure of controversy, with a career marked by disputes with coaches, clubs, and teammates. However, as France pursues an unprecedented third consecutive World Cup final appearance, the midfielder has emerged as an indispensable part of Didier Deschamps’ setup. Rabiot’s journey from being on the verge of international exile to becoming a crucial cog in the national team machine underscores his resilience and growth.

Rabiot’s path back to the France squad was fraught with obstacles. Eight years ago, he emailed Deschamps to decline a standby list spot for the 2018 World Cup, a decision that led to his exclusion. He was later cast out by Paris Saint-Germain following a high-profile dispute involving his mother and agent, Veronique. Yet, a spell at Juventus under Andrea Pirlo, who called him a “complete” midfielder, helped rebuild his career. By the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Rabiot was a vital part of the team that reached the final.

Now, Rabiot is lauded by teammates and coaches for his reliability and work ethic. "A guy with incredible resilience," Kylian Mbappe said before the 2026 World Cup. "No matter what gets said about him, what happens to him, the guy's always there." Rabiot’s partnership with Aurelien Tchouameni in midfield provides the balance needed to support France’s potent attack, which includes Mbappe. In the group stage, Rabiot showcased his playmaking ability with a stunning assist to Bradley Barcola in a win over Senegal.

Off-field incidents have followed Rabiot, including a changing-room altercation with former Marseille teammate Jonathan Rowe. However, Deschamps places unwavering trust in Rabiot’s ability to do the dirty work. As France prepares for knockout matches, Rabiot’s role in maintaining defensive solidity while enabling creative players remains critical to the team’s success.