France captain Kylian Mbappe is receiving backlash in his home country for opting out of upcoming Nations League matches against Israel and Belgium, despite being available to play for Real Madrid. The forward sustained a muscle injury last month but made a return as a substitute in his club’s Champions League loss to Lille last Wednesday.
France’s head coach Didier Deschamps excluded Mbappe from the squad announced on Thursday, citing that the 25-year-old had not adequately prepared due to limited match play. Mbappe had started in Real Madrid’s La Liga victory over Villarreal on Saturday.
Former France international Maxime Bossis expressed his concerns, stating, “Either you’re injured and don’t play for your club, or you’re not called up for the national team. However, coming off the bench in the Champions League and starting a league game creates confusion.” He acknowledged Mbappe’s unique status, reminiscent of Michel Platini’s situation when he was still desired despite injuries.
In a video released by the French Football Federation, Deschamps mentioned, “Kylian embodies many things… the interests of clubs and national teams often diverge. It’s important to remember that the club is the employer, not the federation.”
Mbappe’s circumstances are further complicated as he currently serves as the captain of the national team, having taken over the role from Antoine Griezmann, who recently announced his retirement from international play.
France, positioned second in Group A, will face Israel in Budapest on Thursday and then head to Belgium on Monday.
Deschamps acknowledged the captaincy situation, noting, “It’s on my mind. As I do every time, key discussions will be held with the players involved. With Kylian as our captain and Antoine as vice-captain both absent, there will be other leaders for these matches.”
Griezmann’s dedication to the national team was unquestionable as he played a record 84 consecutive games for France from 2017 to 2024. Fabien Bonnet, spokesperson for the Irresistibles Francais, the leading France supporters’ group, criticized Mbappe’s leadership, stating, “As a captain, he must be an example for the fans, and he has not been.”
While determining the captain for the Nations League matches, Deschamps emphasized the importance of selecting individuals who can manage the responsibility effectively without compromising their performance. He added that understanding the players’ characters and their dynamics within the group is crucial.