Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé has addressed his exclusion from the France national team in recent international breaks.
The 25-year-old forward, controversially appointed the captain of Les Bleus last year over the now retired Antoine Griezman, has faced a challenging period on the international stage.
Following France’s underwhelming performance at the Euros – Mbappé’s first major tournament as captain – his absence from the last two announcements has fuelled speculation.
Rumours swirled that his omission was linked to his settlement dispute with PSG or his efforts to manage his playing time. However the forward has now set the record straight, shedding light on the situation during an interview with Cliquetv.
“I wanted to play for France in November. That was the coach’s decision not to call me up,” Mbappé said. “I can’t tell you why. I’m sorry. If he wants to say it, he can. But I’m NOT allowed.”
The comments highlight the ambiguity surrounding his absence, which has sparked debates in France. Mbappé’s form at Real Madrid has also come under scrutiny, with some attributing it to his turbulent recent months.
In the same interview, Mbappé reflected on his past at PSG, noting the valuable lessons he learnt from sharing the pitch with Lionel Messi, whom he described as a transformative presence during their stint together.
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