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Deschamps reveals the reason for Mbappé’s absence from France squad
France head coach Didier Deschamps has addressed the controversy surrounding Kylian Mbappe’s absence from the French squad for the Nations League 2024.
Many were surprised when the Real Madrid star’s name was missing from the squad list, especially since Mbappé had played in recent games for his club against Lille and Villarreal, despite being declared unfit for international duty.
This situation fueled speculation that Real Madrid might influence decisions regarding Mbappé’s availability for international matches, leading to criticism of the player for allegedly avoiding national team responsibilities.
In a recent interview, Deschamps clarified that the decision to leave Mbappé out of the squad was entirely his own, and not influenced by external factors.
He insisted it was based on the player’s fitness and a precautionary measure to ensure Mbappé’s well-being, rather than any interference from Real Madrid or Mbappé himself.
He had said: “Mbappe was not fit against Villarreal. There was no request. The decision is mine. He played the Villarreal game without being 100 percent fit.”
Kylian Mbappé has been grappling with match fitness issues after sustaining a knock in the lead-up to his last two fixtures for Real Madrid before the international break. Despite featuring in those games, concerns about his fitness persisted, ultimately influencing his exclusion from France’s Nations League 2024 squad.
His ongoing struggle with recovery has prompted caution from both his club and the national team, with an emphasis on ensuring he fully regains his form before returning to peak performance.