France’s captain Kylian Mbappe has been left out of the national team’s upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Israel and Belgium.
Coach Didier Deschamps announced the squad on Thursday, citing Mbappe’s ongoing thigh injury and the need for rest and rehabilitation.
Mbappe, 25, recently returned from a brief spell on the sidelines due to the injury and made a substitute appearance in Real Madrid’s shocking 1-0 Champions League defeat to Lille on Wednesday.
However, Deschamps has opted to err on the side of caution, prioritizing Mbappe’s fitness over his participation in the Nations League games.
“I had an exchange with Kylian. He has a problem that isn’t serious, but I’m not going to take risks, which is why he’s not in the squad,” Deschamps explained to reporters in Paris.
France’s upcoming matches include an away fixture against Israel on October 10, relocated to Budapest due to security concerns in the Middle East, followed by a clash with Belgium in Brussels on October 14.
Les Bleus currently sit third in Group A2 with three points, trailing leaders Italy by three points.
Deschamps’ squad announcement marked his first since vice-captain Antoine Griezmann’s retirement from international football earlier this week. Griezmann, 33, ended his illustrious career with 137 caps, leaving a significant void in the team.
“He had such an impact that we can’t play in the same way,” Deschamps acknowledged. “I’m not necessarily going to change the system, but I’m not going to look for an equivalent player.”
Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku returns to the squad after a year-long absence, while midfielder N’Golo Kante has also been omitted.
The France squad for the UEFA Nations League matches is as follows:
Goalkeepers:
Alphonse Areola (West Ham United), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Lens)
Alphonse Areola (West Ham United), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Lens)
Defenders:
Jonathan Clauss (Nice), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Wesley Fofana (Chelsea), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Jonathan Clauss (Nice), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Wesley Fofana (Chelsea), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders:
Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (AC Milan), Matteo Guendouzi (Lazio), Manu Kone (Roma), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)
Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (AC Milan), Matteo Guendouzi (Lazio), Manu Kone (Roma), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)
Forwards:
Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain), Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain), Randal Kolo Muani (Paris Saint-Germain), Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)
Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain), Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain), Randal Kolo Muani (Paris Saint-Germain), Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)
