Former Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappé has sparked controversy in France after Didier Deschamps omitted the 25-year-old from the squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Israel and Belgium.
While Mbappé is currently recovering from a thigh injury, which could explain his exclusion, that wasn’t the only factor. He was named to the squad for the match against Villarreal and even started the game.
This has led to significant criticism in France, particularly given that Mbappé serves as captain and is expected to be available when fit. RMC Sport’s Walid Acherchour notes this latest drama regarding the winger is a stain on his captaincy.
“Mbappé’s message is clear: he’s prioritizing Real Madrid,” Acherchour said on After Foot RMC. “As captain, that’s a bad look. Deschamps has already put aside players who weren’t fully committed. Mbappé’s privileges in the French national team are starting to feel excessive.”
🎙️@walidacherchour : “Le message que Mbappé nous envoie c’est qu’il donne la priorité au Real. En tant que capitaine ça fait tâche. Deschamps a déjà mis au placard des joueurs qui trainaient la patte. Les privilèges d’Mbappé en Equipe de France ça commence à faire beaucoup.” pic.twitter.com/CMQtcc3ofe
— After Foot RMC (@AfterRMC) October 5, 2024
It will be intriguing to see how French manager Didier Deschamps handles the latest controversy and how the Real Madrid star frames the situation. It’ll also be interesting to find out if the media goes along with it since Mbappé is the captain and should be held to a higher standard.
