Frank Christian
Kylian Mbappe, the captain of Les Bleus, is set to miss the upcoming November international break. Unlike in October, when he was sidelined due to injury, this absence is attributed to a decision made by head coach Didier Deschamps. Mbappe will not participate in the matches against Israel and Italy as there seems to be underlying issues between him and the federation.
Deschamps acknowledged that he had discussions with Mbappe prior to excluding him from the squad, suggesting that this absence may not be permanent. The dynamics within the France camp remain somewhat mysterious, prompting an exploration of the reasons behind one of football’s top players being left out of the lineup.
Reasons Behind Mbappe’s Omission from France’s Squad
During his announcement of the 23-man squad for the upcoming matches, Deschamps revealed that he made the choice to exclude Mbappe. This unexpected move is described as temporary for this international break. Previously, he had missed matches due to health concerns, but Deschamps implied that Mbappe was fit to play yet was omitted for other reasons.
“I’ve had discussions with him, it is a decision that I took for this block of matches only,” Deschamps stated at a press briefing. “Kylian wanted to come. We may not agree on everything but these discussions are meaningful to me. I strive to make informed decisions.”
The exact reasoning behind Mbappe’s exclusion is unclear, but it may relate to his recent lack of form with Real Madrid. He has struggled to score, with only one goal in his last three La Liga games and no goals in his three most recent Champions League appearances. Furthermore, he received criticism for his performance in a heavy 4-0 defeat to Barcelona, where he was offside multiple times.
Mbappe also faced scrutiny for not participating in the October international break to recover from injury, although he played for Real Madrid before and after that period. He seemed to address Deschamps’ decision by saying, “It’s my responsibility to make decisions. I think it’s better this way,” hinting at potential off-field disagreements.
Who Will Step Up in Mbappe’s Absence?
With Mbappe and vice-captain Antoine Griezmann out, Deschamps faces challenges in leading the team during the forthcoming matches against Israel and Italy. Midfielders Youri Tielemans and Aurélien Tchouaméni previously captained the team, but the return of N’Golo Kanté could change that dynamic. Kanté, who has experience and leadership qualities, might step into the captaincy role if he plays.
Historically, either Mbappe or Griezmann has captained the team in 21 of their last 24 matches, so Deschamps will have to make a strategic decision now that both are unavailable. Other potential candidates include defenders like William Saliba or Theo Hernandez.
Kylian Mbappe’s International Record with France
Mbappe currently ranks third in all-time scoring for France, with 48 goals in 86 appearances, trailing Thierry Henry and Olivier Giroud. Although he is approaching the top 10 in appearances, he still has a way to go to match former captain Hugo Lloris.
Since debuting in 2017, Mbappe has participated in two UEFA European Championships and two FIFA World Cups. He played a pivotal role in France’s successful 2018 World Cup campaign, scoring in the final, and again made an impact in the 2022 tournament, finishing as the Golden Boot winner.
