Emmanuel Macron wants N’Golo Kante to win the Ballon D’or prize as a result of his string of sterling performances of the Chelsea midfielder.

Didier Deschamp’s men are preparing for their Euro 2020 opener against Germany on Tuesday and this week they were visited by Macron, who delivered some words of wisdom to the players and coaches as they bid to win a second trophy in a row.

The French president Macron believes Kante deserves be recognised as the best of the best after a superb season with him lifting the Champions League, with Chelsea, calling him calling him “an example” for the nation.

Macron also raved about PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe, saying he and Kante represent ‘values of effort, togetherness and loyalty’.

“N’Golo Kante is a great player, like Kylian Mbappe and he is an example,’ he told RMC Sport, via ESPN. He is an example for the youth of the country.

“When we see again the season Kante has had with his club, and I hope the Ballon d’Or too and I’m sure what he will do in this Euros.

“Him and Kylian are good people too, with values of effort and togetherness. They are loyal to the clubs where they come from. And I think it is very important for the country because sport is always bigger than just sport.”

Macron, who also joked with Kante by asking him if he “still had three lungs”, was accompanied by his wife Brigitte for his visit of the squad in Clairefontaine as he urged the squad to “go to the end” and go one further than Euro 2016 – when they lost in the final to Portugal.

“You have nothing to prove, you are very great players,’ he said. ‘But do not give up… and until the last minute.”