Didier Deschamps has confirmed that Kylian Mbappe wanted to join the French squad, but the Real Madrid forward will miss the upcoming Nations League games against Israel and Italy. This decision comes amidst criticism from former French international Thierry Henry, who called out Mbappe’s recent performances for Real Madrid, stating that the star player needs to contribute “way more” than what he has been showing on the pitch lately.
Despite Mbappe expressing a desire to participate, Deschamps, when speaking to the media on Thursday, emphasized that he made a “one-off decision” regarding the player’s exclusion from the squad. He added, “It’s my responsibility to make decisions. I think it’s better that way,” as he prepared for the crucial fixtures against Israel on November 14 and Italy three days later.
The situation is particularly intriguing given that Mbappe had only recently transitioned to Real Madrid after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain ended in July. He missed two matches for France the previous month purely as a precaution following some injury concerns. While the specifics of his physical condition were not elaborated on by Deschamps, it is clear that the coach intends to manage Mbappe’s playing time carefully.
Additionally, the French coach addressed the controversy surrounding allegations made against Mbappe by a Swedish newspaper, concerning a trip he undertook during the last international break. These claims have been labeled as “fake news” by Mbappe himself, which his representatives called “totally false and irresponsible.” Deschamps stated, “I’m not going to argue. What I can tell you are these two things; one, that Kylian wanted to come. And two, it’s not the extra sporting problems that come into play since the presumption of innocence exists and must exist. It’s a one-off choice for this gathering.”
On the field, Mbappe has shown flashes of his talent with eight goals in 15 appearances for Real Madrid since his move, but his recent form has been concerning, as he has managed to score only once in his last six outings. This has raised eyebrows, especially considering the high expectations associated with a player of his caliber. Furthermore, with the emergence of Vinicius Jr., who has been utilized in Mbappe’s favored position on the left wing, the 25-year-old striker’s role within the squad appears to be under scrutiny.
Real Madrid has faced its own challenges, suffering a significant defeat of 4-0 to their arch-rivals Barcelona last month, leaving them trailing by nine points in the LaLiga standings. These factors add to the urgency for Mbappe to regain his best form and contribute more significantly to his club’s success as they look to close the gap on their local rivals. The forthcoming international break may provide Mbappe with a much-needed opportunity to reset and refocus, regardless of his absence from this particular squad.
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