Kylian Mbappe has been axed from France’s squad for the October international break despite being fit for international action.
The Real Madrid forward was in action for Real Madrid in the mid-week UEFA Champions League defeat to Ligue 1 side Lille on Wednesday, October 2, 2024.
It was his first return to France since he left PSG this summer following a bedraggled transfer saga and it ended on a disappointing note.
Before the match, Kylian Mbappe was sidelined with a thigh injury picked up during the club’s 3-2 La Liga win over Alaves. Initial reports say he will be sidelined for three weeks but Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed he was ready to return earlier.
Encouragingly, he was back in action for the club during the Champions League clash with Lille. Carlo Ancelotti played him as a second-half substitute as the team struggled to find an equalizer after Jonathan David’s spot-kick goal.
While Los Blancos stumbled to a shock defeat against Lille, Madrid fans were encouraged that their star forward was back to action earlier than thought.
He was expected to make France’s squad for UEFA Nations League matches in the October international break but has been shockingly left out.
It is the first time the terrific forward has been left out of France’s squad despite being fit since his national team debut in 2017.
Didier Deschamps on why he dropped Kylian Mbappe from the squad
Speaking after confirming his selection for the UEFA Nations League matches in October, Deschamp allayed fears of an underground miscue with the player. According to him, he spoke with Mbappe before deciding to drop him from the team. He further revealed that the forward still has a problem and he doesn’t want to take the risk to compound it by including him in the squad.
“I had an exchange with Kylian. He has a problem which is not serious. I am not going to take risks, which is why he is not in the squad,” Deschamps said.
Mbappe made his France senior national team debut in 2017 and has won 86 caps, scoring 45 goals. Following the retirement of Raphael Varane and other key French footballers like Hugo Lloris and Karim Benzema, he was crowned the new captain of the team.
His most notable performance for the team was winning the 2018 World Cup and reaching the final of the 2022 edition in Qatar coupled with impressive individual performances. He also won the 2020-21 UEFA Nations League with the team.
Kylian Mbappe is not the only top player France will miss in the upcoming break. Antoine Griezmann recently called time on his international career and will be out of the squad. Former Chelsea and Al-Ittihad midfielder N’Golo Kante has not made the list.
France squad for October international break (Full List]
Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku will be leading the attack for the team. Nkunku, who struggled with niggling injury issues last season is back to action firing for Chelsea in the English top flight. He has been named in the squad.
AC Milan shot-stopper Mikel Maignan, West Ham United goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, and Lens goalie Brice Samba make the list of goalkeeping options.
In the defence, Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano, Liverpool stopper Ibrahim Konate, and Barcelona star Jules Kounde all make the cut.
Aston Villa’s Lucas Digne and Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana, including Theo Hernandez of AC Milan, are also in the fray.
Real Madrid duo Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga lead the midfield selections alongside Yossouf Fofana of AC Milan, Warren Zaire-Emery of PSG, and others.
PSG stars – Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele, and Randal Kolo Muani – are named in the attack. Nkunku, Michael Olise, and Marcus Thuram also make the list.
Full squad list
Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham United), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Lens)
Defenders: Jonathan Clauss (Nice), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Wesley Fofana (Chelsea), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (AC Milan), Matteo Guendouzi (Lazio), Manu Kone (Roma), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris St-Germain)
Forwards: Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele, Randal Kolo Muani (all Paris Saint-Germain), Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)
France will play their away fixture against Israel on Thursday, October 10 before taking on Belgium in Brussels on Monday, October 14.
They are currently second in Group 2 of League A with three points after two games, while Italy are top with six points.
