Kante, alongside fellow Blue Olivier Giroud, was part of the French side that had a young Gusto celebrating in 2018, when they defeated Croatia in the final in Moscow to become the second Les Bleus team to triumph at the World Cup.

Gusto still considers that final to be his favourite World Cup memory and highlights Kante, who added a World Cup winner’s medal to the Premier League one he had claimed with Chelsea a year earlier, as one of the players who inspired him.

‘Definitely, because when I was younger I was playing more in midfield, so I was watching more that kind of player,’ said Malo.

'For me, he's one of the best midfielders that France has ever had. So, you have to learn from these players, even from a human side. He is a top guy.’

Now international team-mates, eight years since Kante starred in Les Bleus’ 2018 triumph, Gusto confirmed that N’Golo has kept Chelsea close to his heart since leaving in 2023.

‘When I first played for France, he was there and he was talking to me about Chelsea. He was asking how the club is and he is a legend here.

‘He is really attached to this club, and I’m really proud to play with these kinds of players.’

Gusto, Kante and the rest of the France squad face Norway in their last game of the group stage at 8pm UK time today and are already assured of a place in the next round, needing a win or draw to go through as Group I winners.