Thursday, November 7, 2024, 17:14
Kylian Mbappé has once again been left out of Didier Deschamps‘ squad to play with the French team in the next two Nations League games, against Israel and Italy, which will be played on November 14 and 17, respectively. The absence of the Real Madrid forward was the big surprise on Deschamps’ list this Thursday, after Mbappé was previously absent during the October break due to muscle discomfort, after having reached a prior agreement with Deschamps.
The French coach acknowledged this Thursday that Mbappé wanted to be called up for the matches against Israel and Italy, but Deschamps revealed that he had had “an exchange of words with him” and considers leaving him out of the squad “is the best decision.” According to Deschamps, his absence “has nothing to do with extra-sports matters”, after Mbappé traveled to Sweden during the previous break and was accused of alleged rape. “There is a presumption of innocence,” concluded the French coach.
On this occasion Mbappé was in perfect physical condition to defend his country’s shirt, after playing the entire Champions League match against Milan, so it is a technical decision that has nevertheless generated a stir in France. “It is a specific choice for this meeting with the two games that await us,” said Deschamps.
«We may not agree on everything. These are discussions I can have with the players. I’m not here for players to tell me I’m the best and the most handsome. I listen to them. I have always been inspired by these discussions, whether individual or collective, protecting all players. That’s why I can have many discussions that can go beyond the field of play, because they know very well that we know who spoke if something comes up. These exchanges are important to me. With the advantage of hindsight, tranquility and the greatest possible lucidity, I make the decisions that seem best to me,” the French coach insisted.
Without Mbappé, without Griezmann, who announced his retirement from the national team in October, and without the injured Tchouaméni, Deschamps will only have two League players for the next two Nations League matches, Real Madrid’s Camavinga and Barça’s Koundé.
