Didier Deschamps has given a definitive answer as to why Kylian Mbappe was left out of the France squad, amid talk of pressure from Real Madrid.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
World Cup winner has been nursing a knockLeft out of Les Bleus' latest squad as a resultFigured for Blancos before international breakFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The latest ‘Galactico’ addition at Santiago Bernabeu has not been called upon by his country for the latest round of UEFA Nations League fixtures. Eyebrows have been raised there as Mbappe figured for Real in their 2-0 win over Villarreal prior to the October international break despite apparently nursing a knock.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
There have been suggestions that the Blancos are influencing decisions made by international coaches, with Mbappe facing criticism for supposedly turning his back on France when he is – as captain of Les Bleus – in a position where he could compete.
WHAT DESCHAMPS SAID
Deschamps insists that the decision not to select Mbappe was entirely his, telling reporters ahead of a meeting with Israel on Thursday: “Mbappe was not fit against Villarreal. There was no request. The decision is mine. He played the Villarreal game without being 100 per cent fit.”
Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?
Deschamps added when pointing out that picking players that are not in peak physical does nobody any favours, with lucrative contracts needing to be taken into account: “Is this good for the player and for the French team? I don’t think so. It is not the federations who pay the players. It is not just the case of Real Madrid and Kylian.”
