France duo speak out in defence of Mbappe amid criticism – ‘We have no doubts about Kylian’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid and France superstar Kylian Mbappe has come under intense criticism in his homeland owing to his absence from the national team camp for their current UEFA Nations League games.

Mbappe was not selected initially by manager Didier Deschamps citing fitness problems but ended up starting a game for Real Madrid against Villarreal immediately after, sparking furore.

Things got even more heated after the 25-year-old was spotted in a club in Sweden when his France teammates were playing against Israel in the Nations League.

There has been strong criticism directed at Mbappe in the French media, with some even calling for him to be stripped of the captain’s position.

Guendouzi defends Mbappe

Amidst all the anger and criticism, France midfielder Matteo Guendouzi has come out and spoken in defence of their captain Mbappe.

Guendouzi insisted that the Real Madrid star’s absence was purely because he was not 100% fit and that nobody in the national team camp doubts him whatsoever.

“We spoke to him on the phone before the game, we spoke to him by message,” said Guendouzi.

“We have no doubts about Kylian. He’s someone who’s attached to us, to the French team. Obviously, we were all disappointed that he wasn’t there to help us in these two matches. But there are reasons, he’s not 100% fit,” the Lazio star added.

Guendouzi came out in defence of Mbappe. (Photo by Christian Hofer/Getty Images)

Urging everyone to stop questioning Mbappe’s commitment to the national team, he said: “We have to stop talking about it too much. He has days off, he does what he wants. But we really shouldn’t be asking the question about Kylian’s attachment to Les Bleus because that question shouldn’t even be asked.”

Fofana not bothered about Mbappe’s excursion

Meanwhile, Wesley Fofana also defended Mbappe, stating that none of the France players were bothered by him using his free time as he saw fit.

“Everyone does what they want with their free time. Today it hasn’t been a source of discussion, I haven’t heard anything about it. He does what he wants. He’s a big boy, a great professional, and he manages his career as he sees fit,” he said.

“He’s the great French player, so it’s normal that he gets a lot of media coverage, that he’s in the spotlight,” Fofana admitted, before adding: “Are we making too much of it? I don’t know. That’s up to him.

“But it’s true that from time to time you go a bit overboard. Ask Kylian Mbappe for more information.”

Source: RMC Sport