Kylian Mbappé’s shock call to Didier Deschamps revealed | OneFootball

“For different reasons, Kylian wasn’t in the best condition psychologically during the last international camp. The fact that he is at Real Madrid with significant expectations, the fact he didn’t have a pre-season, few matches – it wasn’t ideal. But I don’t have any doubt about Kylian’s commitment,” said Didier Deschamps in reference to Kylian Mbappé’s (25) difficult international break in September. L’Équipe have now revealed that the Real Madrid forward almost wasn’t even included in the squad.

Mbappé endured a difficult international break at the start of September amid a difficult start to life at new club Real Madrid. The Real Madrid forward was booed both at his former home, the Parc des Princes, and the Groupama Stadium in Lyon. France lost in Paris, succumbing 3-1 to Italy. For the second game, captain Mbappé was relegated to the bench, however, he did come on to a chorus of boos as Les Bleus ran out 2-0 winners over Belgium.

A poll suggested that Mbappé’s popularity in France had decreased significantly in recent months whilst comments that fans’ concerns about Les Bleus’ playing style was “the least of his concerns” did little to repair that relationship in September.

Parents convince Mbappé to honour France call-up

But he almost wasn’t even a part of the squad. L’Équipe understands that, ahead of the international break, the AS Monaco academy product rang Deschamps to ask him to leave him out of the squad. That call came amid a thought start to life at the Bernabeu and after a difficult Euro 2024 campaign, both on a collective and individual level.

However, under pressure from his parents, Wilfrid Mbappé and Fayza Lamari, he ultimately honoured his call-up. Officially injured, Mbappé did then miss out on the international break in October. Nonetheless, he did start in Los Blancos’ final La Liga game before that international break, which was a source of great controversy.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle