Kante: ‘World Cup achievements, beyond my dreams’

Chelsea’s World Cup winning midfielder N’Golo Kante has admitted that going all the way with France in Russia this summer was ‘beyond his dreams’.

The 27-year-old started all seven of Les Blues’ games as they matched their achievement of 1998 by lifting the famous trophy, beating Croatia 4-2 in last month’s final.

Kante now has his eyes on a third Premier League crown in four years, and a second with Chelsea, but the ex-Leicester City ace insists that he will never take his job for granted.

“We are lucky to be playing football for a living. For me, this is what I have always wanted to do. To get to this level is all down to Allah’s blessing,” he told The Mirror. “There are millions of ­people out there, who every day want to get the opportunity to do the work we are doing and it’s a short career.

“That is why I give it my all at every given opportunity. I am lucky to get the ­opportunity to play for France and that alone is a huge motivation for me, whenever I go on the pitch. To represent one’s own country is one of the biggest achievements a ­footballer can get.

“To play for your nation on the world stage is worth more than money can ever buy, and I get to do that, so I am very ­fortunate. To win the World Cup in our colours was beyond my dreams and something I will never, ever forget.

“To be able to be part of that group will stay with us until the end of our lives ­because we know what ­winning the World Cup means to us.”

Kante played the full 90 minutes for Chelsea as they beat Huddersfield Town 3-0 at the weekend, less than a month on from France’s World Cup success.