Sports
Mbappe Dropped As Deschamps Names Squad For Nations League Games
The Real Madrid forward recently returned from a brief injury layoff, coming off the bench during the shock 1-0 Champions League loss to Lille on Wednesday after recovering from a thigh injury.
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Despite his return, the 25-year-old will miss France’s upcoming fixtures against Israel and Belgium, a decision likely made to give Mbappe time to rest and focus on regaining full fitness.
“I had an exchange with Kylian. He has a problem which is not serious. I am not going to take risks, which is why he is not in the squad,” Deschamps told reporters in Paris.
France will face Israel on Thursday, October 10, in an away match relocated to Budapest due to security concerns in the Middle East.
Les Bleus, who won the Nations League in 2021, will then meet Belgium in Brussels on Monday, October 14.
France currently sit on three points after their opening two matches in Group A2, led by Italy with six points.
This squad announcement marks Didier Deschamps’ first since vice-captain Antoine Griezmann announced his retirement from international football earlier this week.
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“He had such an impact that we can’t play in the same way,” Deschamps said of losing Griezmann, who quit aged 33 after winning 137 caps.
“I am not necessarily going to change the system, but I am not going to look for an equivalent player.”
Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku, who won the last of his 10 caps in June last year, returns to the squad, from which midfielder N’Golo Kante is also left out.
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