‘Leave him alone’ – Didier Deschamps looks to shut down Kylian Mbappé talk | OneFootball

Didier Deschamps has called up 23 players for the current international break, which will see France take on Israel and Italy in the UEFA Nations League. However, the focus is less on the 23 players that compose Deschamps’ squad and more on the one player that isn’t there – Kylian Mbappé (25).

For consecutive international breaks, Mbappé has been left out. He was absent from the squad in October on the premise that he had to recover from a minor injury. However, his presence from the start in Real Madrid’s final La Liga game before the break saw that argument contested, whilst reports have since emerged questioning Mbappé’s commitment during the preceding international break at the start of September.

Given Mbappé’s status as captain of Les Bleus, his absence, not due to non-sporting reasons nor injury, according to Deschamps, is not without controversy. Deschamps’ vague reasoning for his captain’s absence has not provided any clarity on a topic that remains mired in mystery.

And there was no clarity when the France manager spoke on Wednesday earlier. He defended Mbappé but without providing information on the former Paris Saint-Germain forward’s continued absence. “I told you what I told you. You are free to interpret that. There are 23 players here. Kylian isn’t here – leave him alone,” he said. Mbappé was spotted with former PSG teammate Achraf Hakimi earlier this week, whilst he will also train with Real Madrid over the international break.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle