Mbappé has not played for France since the September international break, missing the respective October and November windows, and four Nations League matches.
These two omissions caused major controversy in Madrid and Paris and led to questions about his commitment as captain of the French team in the future. The October decision was based on Mbappé’s recent return from injury and an agreement with Deschamps to be allowed to recover, however, the November decision was less clear.
Mbappé and Deschamps affirmed that it was a decision taken by the French boss but with little explanation. The Bondynois took stock of the situation in an enigmatic manner, as part of an interview with Clique, with Blues supporters still uncertain on the issue.
“It’s the coach’s decision”
“There is nothing more important to me than the national team,” he declared. “I asked Deschamps not to call me, because I had just arrived in Madrid, and I didn’t feel 100%, I had almost no vacation. The reason why I wasn’t called up to the French team in November? It’s the coach’s decision. I can’t tell you why. If he wants to say it, he can. But I don’t have the right. I wanted to play in November, but the coach decided not to call me, and I respected him. »
Mbappé will now await Deschamps’ decision for the Nations League quarter-finals in March 2025, with France facing Croatia, before a possible final in June – a week before the Club World Cup in the United States.