- Kylian Mbappe has had a whirlwind start to his Real Madrid career this season
- He was also an absentee in Didier Deschamps’ last France squad in October
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Kylian Mbappe has been left out of the France squad by Didier Deschamps, despite the player telling his boss that he wanted to join the side.
Mbappe has endured a mixed start to his life at Real Madrid, having finally arrived in the Spanish capital following a transfer saga that feels as though it is already a number of years old.
Despite six goals and an assist in 10 LaLiga games so far – perfectly good numbers at any other side – he has come under pressure for his performances.
This was then followed by a rape allegation made against the Real Madrid player in Stockholm, which took place at the hotel where he was staying over the international break, one which he strenuously denies.
He had been linked to the incident by the Swedish media, despite no names being officially connected to the case, with the player and his legal representatives dismissing the allegation as ‘slanderous’.
Captain Kylian Mbappe has been left out of France’s latest squad by manager Didier Deschamps
Despite making a fast start Mbappe’s form for Real Madrid has been indifferent of late
Deschamps revealed that he had discussions with his captain but chose not to select him
Mbappe had previously turned down his last call up in October after suffering an injury, electing instead to focus on his recovery from a hamstring injury, which did not go down too well in France.
This time round, however, he is believed to have told Deschamps he was keen to join up, only to be left out in the cold in a huge shock.
‘I had a couple of talks with Mbappe, and I took the decision to leave him out this time,’ said the Les Bleus head coach.
‘What I can tell you are these two things: One, that Kylian wanted to come. And two, it’s not the extra sporting problems that come into play since the presumption of innocence exists and must exist. It’s a one-off choice for this gathering.’
He added: ‘We may not agree on everything. These are discussions that I can have with the players. I am not here for the players to tell me that I am the most beautiful and the best. I listen. I have always fed off these discussions, whether individual or collective, protecting all the players.’
‘That’s why I can have a lot of discussions that can go beyond the purely field sphere, because they know very well that we know who spoke if something comes out.
‘These exchanges are important to me. With hindsight, tranquility, as much lucidity as possible, I make the decisions that seem to me to be the best.’
Despite a strong start, Mbappe’s performances have been below par in recent weeks after he joined Madrid from PSG this summer. His struggles to adapt to his new side’s playing style have coincided with a global rough patch of form for the Spanish club.
Deschamps’ side play Israel on November 14 in Paris then travels to Italy three days later
Mbappe has not scored since netting for Les Blues in June and currently has 48 goals for his country
Mbappe was invisible during the 4-0 loss to Barcelona last month in El Clasico and wasn’t a factor this week in a 3-1 loss to AC Milan in the Champions League.
Mbappe hasn’t added to his 48 goals for France since June.
His absence from Deschamps’ squad last month turned into controversy when he started a Spanish league game for Madrid following his omission, amid sharp criticism from fans.
France play Israel on November 14 in Paris then travels to Italy three days later.
