The Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé was not named in France’s squad to face Israel and Italy in Nations League games, head coach Didier Deschamps said on Thursday.
Deschamps did not say whether Mbappé, who played with his club in the 3-1 Champions League defeat by Milan on Tuesday, was injured, arguing his choice was a “one-off decision” and that the player “wanted to come” and join the team.
The 25-year-old Mbappé, who has been struggling for form after moving from Paris St-Germain in the close season, missed two France games last month, against Israel and Belgium.
“I’ve had discussions with him, it is a decision that I took for this block of matches only,” Deschamps told a press conference. “Kylian wanted to come.”
France, who are second in Group A2 and a point behind Italy after four games, take on Israel next Thursday at the Stade de France and travel to face the Italians on 17 November.
Source: theguardian.com
