Davor Suker has slammed Thomas Tuchel as 'unimportant' and accused him of 'talking nonsense' after the England manager claimed his team 'don't want to play' the World Cup Bronze match against France. The Croatia legend, who scored the winner in the 1998 third-place play-off, urged Tuchel to respect all nations.
Tuchel's comments spark controversy
England face France in Miami at 10pm UK time tonight, with a chance to record their best World Cup finish since winning it in 1966. However, Tuchel said ahead of the match: 'None of our players and none of the French players want to play this match. They want to play the final. We gave everything to achieve that.' He has since backtracked slightly, expressing a desire to end the tournament on a high.
Suker's response
Speaking to Goal.com, Suker said: 'I think the rich don't want to play when they lose. Some have so many trophies and are so rich that this match means nothing to them. My message to them is to be quiet, to respect all 211 participants, and to understand that the world doesn't belong only to them. The world also belongs to the medium-sized nations, the small ones, and those who simply enjoy football.'
Golden Boot implications
England stars Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are both two goals behind France's Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot race. Mbappe trails Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who has eight goals and four assists with the final still to play. Suker noted: 'This match can be very important. After 1998 and the game against the Netherlands, we fought for third place, and today I can speak about it with pride. Whoever wins third place, I assure you that in 20 years, when they are older, they will certainly remember that bronze medal. That's why, in this whole story, coach Tuchel isn't important. He's talking nonsense.'
