Gary Neville claims N'Golo Kante was the 'BEST player on the pitch' in France's 1-0 win over Austria as Roy Keane and Ian Wright marvel over 33-year-old's 'excellent' performance

N'Golo Kante produced a midfield masterclass against Austria on MondayGary Neville, Roy Keane and Ian Wright heaped praise on the FrenchmanLISTEN to It's All Kicking Off! Were England good in their opener or is the criticism fair?

Gary Neville described N'Golo Kante as the 'best player on the pitch' against Austria while Roy Keane and Ian Wright heaped further praise on the former Chelsea star for his brilliant performance in France's opening Euro 2024 victory.

The 33-year-old has been largely off the radar of European football since deciding to leave Stamford Bridge in favour of a move to Saudi Arabia last year, but made a grand re-introduction to tournament football on Monday.

Kante was named as a starter in a two-man midfield alongside Juventus playmaker Adrien Rabiot and starred as Les Blues got their European Championship campaign off to the perfect start.

The two-time Premier League and Champions League winner was everywhere as he broke up play by occupying key defensive positions, got play moving forward with passes through the lines and dribbled with the excellence that he was renowned for during his years playing in England's top-flight.

Former Man United and England full-back Neville marvelled over Kante's performance and explained how integral the midfielder was to France's success at Euro 2024.

N'Golo Kante starred in France's opening Euro 2024 victory over Austria on Monday evening

The Frenchman produced a masterclass midfield performance in the 1-0 win over Austria

Kante was everywhere as he persistently broke up play in the middle of the pitch for France

'He's not a holding midfield player who just stays there, he's everywhere on the pitch and runs forward and Rabiot just sits back and balances off,' Neville told ITV.

'I thought he was absolutely outstanding tonight, it was a fantastic performance and was the best player on the pitch. A couple of years ago he looked finish but has had a second lease of life,' he added.

Neville's former Untied team-mate Keane further complimented Kante and claimed the midfielder played as if he was a 'younger version' of himself that had previously starred at Leicester and Chelsea.

Explaining Kante's crucial role in France's win over Ralf Rangnick's side, Keane said: 'He was brilliant and he has that vast experience. I think what he is really good at as well obviously is we talk about breaking the play up but it's when he does the other bits as well.

'He's sharp with his passing, he obviously covers the ground we know that, his decision-making is excellent but he is neat and tidy with his passing and loves a little one-two. He can pass it forward, makes runs forward and he looked like a younger version of himself tonight.

'I know it's the first game of the tournament and let's see how he gets on with the intensity of the games. I never doubted him before the game, that experience he has got it in abundance and was excellent,' he added.

Gary Neville (left) marvelled over Kante's performance and described him as the 'best player on the pitch'

The midfielder was one of only six French players to complete 90 minutes against Austria

Kante was one of only six outfield players to complete 90 minutes as Didier Deschamps fully utilised his bench with five substitutions and excelled in turning defence into attack.

Arsenal legend Wright believes the veteran has benefitted from playing in a lesser league in the Middle East but was equally amazed at Kante's ability to again perform at a top level in a major tournament.

'He's going to retire very comfortably,' said Wright when discussing the riches paid to players in Saudi Arabia.

'When you come and play to that level he must be doing something because if you're playing in a league where the standard is not as good then how is he getting to that level?,' he said.