France: Confusion and anger surrounding superstar Mbappé

When the French national team won 4-1 in the Nations League against Israel on Thursday, their superstar Kylian Mbappé was missing. The captain will not be on the pitch against Belgium on Monday either – the 25-year-old had canceled both games for health reasons. The fact that a report and photos of him on a trip – even at night – in Stockholm appear at the same time is causing a commotion. Especially since his rejection had already caused a lack of understanding.

Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet reports that Mbappé was spotted on the streets of Stockholm during France’s game against Israel. Accordingly, he first visited the exclusive restaurant “Chez Jolie” and then went to the nightclub “V”, where he is said to have been accommodated in a private room. Photos of Mbappé’s stay in the Swedish capital have already become public.

And what does he say himself? Nothing about his Stockholm trip yet. In his Instagram story, Mbappé commented on the game against Israel by sharing the French line-up and writing “good game” underneath.

“As a captain, that’s not normal.”

France coach Didier Dechamps had said before the game about Mbappé’s cancellation: “The interests of the clubs and the interests of the national teams inevitably diverge at some point, and you must not forget that the club is the employer, not the association. The most important thing is the player’s interest.”

Mbappé, who has been playing for Real Madrid since this season, recently sustained an injury to his thigh in the Spanish LaLiga. However, he was recently back in the starting line-up in Real’s 2-0 win against Villarreal.

A situation that many French people don’t like. Ex-national player Maxime Bossis (69) told “L’Équipe”: “Either you are injured and neither play with your club nor in the national team. But when you come off the bench in the Champions League and play in a league game, it becomes unclear.”

Fabien Bonnel, spokesman for the most important fan group “Irresistibles Francais,” sees it similarly. He also clearly criticized Mbappé’s absence: “Is it a communication problem? As a captain, that’s not normal. Either Real is asking him to shut up or France is, but we know he talks when he feels like talking. He has to stand by his captaincy,” said Bonnel. “I wouldn’t go so far as to say we feel like we’re being played for fools, and I don’t know by who. But it is a week that you have to forget, but it will be difficult because it will leave its mark.”