Jason Cummings has revealed how he was snubbed by Kylian Mbappe over a jersey swap after Australia’s World Cup defeat to France.
The former Hibs, Rangers and Dundee striker, who now plays for Central Coast Mariners, approached the PSG forward after Tuesday’s 4-1 defeat in the hope of getting a momento from the game.
And even though Mbappe, regarded as one of the best players on the planet, initially seemed open to the idea, Cummings admits he did not get his hands on the 23-year-old's jersey.
However, the 27-year-old, who climbed off the bench in the second half of the opening Group D game, did get Barcelona defender Jules Kounde’s shirt.
He said: “After the game I was disappointed with the result so I kind of missed my boat a wee bit and then I asked Mbappe, I went to the main man.
“I asked him and he said, ‘I’ll see you in the changing room’, so I was buzzing.
“So we went to the changing room, I was with Cammy (Devlin) and I think the kitman came out and he was like, ‘give me your shirts and I’ll go and get Mbappe’s and whatever.
“I gave him mine, we’re standing there, tops off. Ten mins later he came back with both the Socceroos kits and he just gave me my top back and he said, ‘nah, he doesn’t want to swap’.
“He probably took a look at mine and thought, 'I’ll just leave it'.
“On my way out, I was walking back, going back to the changing room and I walked past Kounde, and I was like, ‘Kounde, can I get your shirt?’ I took that, just for a little memory. The Mbappe one would have been good. I probably would have sold it anyway!”
Australia take on Tunisia tomorrow before facing Denmark and Cummings insists the result against France has not diminished the thrill of being at the World Cup.
He added: “I feel good, just buzzing, wake up every day excited, still can’t believe I’m at the World Cup, it’s surreal.
“Coming on against France, I had to pinch myself, an absolute dream come true. It’s been a good camp and a good laugh with the boys.
“Both the games are massive, the next one is huge.
“We need to go in there and win the game. Every player is huge, it’s the World Cup and they are all world class players.
“Denmark, Christian Eriksen is going to be the stand - absolutely incredible, Kasper Schmeichel in goals as well, imagine slotting one past him?”
