Didier Deschamps bluntly rejected suggestions that Real Madrid played a role in his decision to leave Kylian Mbappe out of France’s squad for this month’s UEFA Nations League games.
The prolific striker was named permanent captain of the national team following the retirement of Hugo Lloris in March 2023. Mbappé He has scored just two goals in 11 games since picking up the armband and will be unable to improve on that indifferent form when France take on Israel in neutral Budapest before jumping over the border to Belgium on Monday evening.
Mbappe has been struggling with a muscle problem in recent weeks and was forced to sit out first Madrid derby of the season at Atlético de Madrid at the end of September. The 25-year-old returned surprisingly quickly to come off the bench during Real Madrid’s limp. Defeat in the Champions League against Lille before starting Saturday’s 2-0 win over Villarreal.
Carlo Ancelotti brought his star forward for the final 20 minutes of last weekend’s league win and hinted at his role in Mbappe’s omission from the French setup. “I had an exchange with Kylian,” revealed the Italian. “He has a problem but it’s not serious. I’m not going to take any chances, that’s why he’s not in the squad.”
Deschamps was ready to quell growing murmurs that his decision-making had been dictated by Real Madrid. “Mbappé was not fit against Villarreal,” the French boss told the assembled media. “There was no request. The decision is mine. He played the Villarreal game without being 100% fit.”
Antoine Griezmann announced his retirement of international football ahead of this month’s encounter, leaving few senior options for Deschamps to choose from for the role of captain. Mbappe’s teammate at Real Madrid, Aurelien Tchouameni, was given the responsibility.
Most of the questions directed at the 24-year-old midfielder surrounded the player he was replacing. Tchouameni echoed the sentiment expressed by his manager, insisting that Real Madrid It had nothing to do with the absence of Mbappe or his other club-mate Ferland Mendy: “I have spoken to Kylian and Ferland (Mendy) about it and it has never happened. There are physical problems, it is from Kylian. There is no pressure from the club.”
