Kylian Mbappé was once again left out of France’s squad. There is no name on the list released by coach Didier Deschamps for the team’s games against Israel (November 14) and Italy (November 17), in the UEFA Nations League.
“It’s my decision, and I think it’s better this way,” declared Deschamps. “I don’t want to get into a discussion that leads to interpretations, I can’t say more. I take this decision,” he added.
The striker, who is going through a difficult time at Real Madrid, had no longer been called up for the French team’s October games as he was recovering from an injury to his left thigh. His absence generated controversy in France because he started for Real Madrid two days before the group was scheduled to appear.
Afterwards, Mbappé continued to make waves when he traveled to Stockholm and had his name linked by the Swedish press to the opening of a rape investigation, although the country’s police and courts have not confirmed whether the player is being investigated.
“Off-field problems were not taken into account from the moment the presumption of innocence exists and should exist,” explained Deschamps.
The coach added that Mbappé “wanted to come” to play against Israel at the Stade de France and against Italy in Milan.
“I had several conversations with him, reflected and made this decision. I think it’s better this way”, reiterated the coach.
Mbappé’s problems outside the four lines add to his below-expected performance and Real Madrid’s poor form, which comes from defeats at home to Milan (3-1) in the Champions League and Barcelona (4-0) in the Championship. Spanish.
French national team squad list
Goalkeepers
Lucas Chevalier (Lille/FRA)
Mike Maignan (Milan/ITA)
Brice Samba (Lens/FRA)
Defenders
Jonathan Clauss (Nice/FRA)
Lucas Digne (Aston Villa/ING)
Wesley Fofana (Chelsea/ING)
Théo Hernandez (Milan/ITA)
Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool/ING)
Jules Koundé (Barcelona/ESP)
William Saliba (Arsenal/ING)
Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich/ALE)
Midfielders
Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid/ESP)
Mattéo Guendouzi (Lazio/ITA)
N’Golo Kanté (Al-Ittihad/ASA)
Adrien Rabiot (Olympique de Marselha/FRA)
Manu Koné (Borussia Mönchengladbach/ALE)
Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA)
Attackers
Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA)
Randal Kolo Muani (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA)
Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea/ING)
Michael Olise (Bayern Munich/ALE)
Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan/ITA)
