Injured Mbappé left out of France squad for Nations League games
Italy's Samuele Ricci vies for the ball with France's Kylian Mbappe, center, during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Italy at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. Credit: AP/Michel Euler
PARIS — Kylian Mbappé has been left out of France's squad for Nations League games as he continues his recovery from a minor hamstring injury.
Although Mbappé went on as a second-half substitute in Real Madrid's 1-0 loss at Lille in the Champions League on Wednesday night, France coach Didier Deschamps said he took the decision to leave him out after talking to his captain.
“I discussed things with Kylian. He has a problem which isn't serious," Deschamps said. "I'm not here to take risks, which is why Kylian is not in the list.”
France is away to Israel on Oct. 10 and travels to play Belgium four days later.
Deschamps said Mbappé, who has 48 goals for France, was not his usual self in the previous international round of matches, where he failed to score against Belgium and Italy. That took his international scoring drought to five games.
“He wasn't in the best condition mentally,” Deschamps said. “But I don't have the slightest doubt about his commitment.”
For the first time in 10 years, Deschamps did not include Antoine Griezmann after the Atletico Madrid forward announced his retirement from international soccer.
France's Kylian Mbappe, left, controls the ball as Belgium's Zeno Debast tries to stop him during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Belgium at the Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. Credit: AP/Laurent Cipriani
“He's a very endearing and generous person, a leader on the field,” Deschamps said. “Obviously a page is turning.”
Griezmann scored 44 goals and had a national record 30 assists for Les Bleus in 137 matches.
“Antoine has reached the age where you experience physical and psychological fatigue," Deschamps said. "He took this decision and he stands by it, in the sense that it wasn't enforced.”
Bayern Munich's new signing Michael Olise and Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku could get more playing time.
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