Saturday at a press conference, Didier Deschamps confirmed and explained the reason for his choice to let Kylian Mbappé return to Madrid. While the French team travels to Baku this Sunday to face Azerbaijan, the French coach indicated that he wanted to give his captain some rest time. And while France validated its ticket for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday, it is above all this famous choice of Didier Deschamps which is talking. Enough to irritate Bixente Lizarazu.
Consultant to The Teamthe former French international gave his clear opinion in the columns of the sports daily. For him, the coach’s decision is the right one. “I understand perfectly why Didier Deschamps decided to leave Kylian Mbappé at the disposal of his club. » The Basque felt it was welcome to“save this trip to Azerbaijan” to the Bondynois so that he can
“take advantage of this little break that was not planned”.
Judging that “Mbappé was always present in the meetings that counted” with the Blues, Bixente Lizarazu questioned the interest of the player « se coltin(er) six hours of flight, three hours of time difference and the risk of getting injured in the face of opponents who are over-motivated at the idea of going up against it”. And immediately provide a clear answer: “Nothing, so don’t talk to me about privileges…”
Mbappé at rest, the “win-win” choice
The 1998 world champion preferred to see this absence as a tremendous opportunity “win-win” : for the other attackers, the opportunity “to show oneself” and to play their card to the fullest, and for Didier Deschamps to “do tests”. Concerning the management of the coach, “Liza” again approved. “It’s healthy, individualized and intelligent management. »
Finally, Bixente Lizarazu considered that the most important
“for Mbappé and all the supporters of the Blues”was for the Real Madrid striker to be fit at the right time, namely in America next summer at the time of the 2026 World Cup.
