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France coach Didier Deschamps has hit out at the media questioning his decision not to call up Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe for his side’s UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel and Italy, respectively.
Deschamps told the French press to leave Mbappe alone as the fallout over the player’s omission from the France squad continues.
Mbappe did not join the France national team for the Israel clash on Thursday and the Italy tie three days later.
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Deschamps had previously claimed that the 25-year-old wanted to be part of the squad, but it was the coach’s decision to leave him out.
The 56-year-old was asked about the situation ahead of Les Bleus’ clash with Israel at the Stade de France.
Deschamps responded (via Madrid Xtra): “Mbappe? There are 23 players. Kylian is not here, leave him alone.”
In other news, Kylian Mbappé has been left out of the France squad for their upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Israel and Italy, with coach Didier Deschamps insisting the absence of the Real Madrid superstar “is for the best”.
It is the second successive France squad from which the national team captain has been absent after he also missed the October double-header against Israel and Belgium.
“I have spoken with him and I have made the decision for this get-together because I think it is for the best,” Deschamps told reporters at a press conference in Paris.
The 25-year-old Mbappé was rested for last month’s matches in order to help him recover from a minor thigh injury suffered playing for Real.
However, that quickly became a source of controversy when he returned to action for Real days later, before France had even played.
Mbappé was absent for France’s 4-1 win over Israel in a game played in Budapest and a 2-1 win in Belgium, and instead travelled to Stockholm for a short break with members of his entourage.
