New Delhi: Kylian Mbappe will be returning to the France national team during Nations League quarter-final matches against Croatia in March as confirmed by head coach Didier Deschamps. The striker has made 86 appearances for France but has been missing from the squad during the tournament’s October and November fixtures.
When asked about Mbappe’s inclusion in the squad, Deschamps was quick to respond that there was no reason to not have the 26-year-old in the squad. The French football manager told L’Equipe that there were “specific reasons” that Mbappe was dropped from the squad but if he is fit then will certainly be part of France.
🚨🇫🇷 OFFICIAL: Kylian Mbappé will be back with France squad for the upcoming international games in March.
“He will be part of the squad, yes”, says Didier Deschamps to L’Équipé. pic.twitter.com/am3HqzQSyM
— XSPORT9JA (@Xsport9ja) February 14, 2025
Mbappe joined Real Madrid in July from Paris Saint-Germain and initially found it hard to find his ground in the La Liga team. Deschamps pointed out that Mbappe had a difficult period personally but had been impressive lately after regaining his fitness and was in a good headspace. For Real, Mbappe has scored 23 times in 35 games across competition with 16 goals coming in La Liga. Last month Mbappe scored his first hat-trick for Los Blancos against Real Valladolid.
With a very crowded football calendar, many players including Mbappe have been vocal with their concerns about player injuries with an increased number of games. Still, the former PSG forward had re-affirmed his commitment to France despite being absent from the team.
Didier Deschamps explains Kylian Mbappe’s absence
Deschamps mentioned that not including Mbappe in the squad for the Nations League was primarily to give the French forward space and time to find his foot in the La Liga outfit. Deschamps recalled that with injury at the Euros, back pains along troubling times in Paris, and less preparation time were also the reasons that Mbappe wasn’t in the side.
Still, Deschamps was impressed that Mbappe could find his way back. When probed about Mbappe’s leadership after missing out of the squad, the 56-year-old was still confident after several internal discussions that Mbappe would be captaining the side though there would be discussions first.
Deschamps has been the longest-serving coach of France, starting his tenure in 2012 and will be leaving the role at the conclusion of World Cup 2026 when his contract runs out. The French Football Federation President Philippe Diallo though hasn’t naked a replacement citing it was too early, Deschamps himself though felt that Zinedine Zidane would be his perfect replacement and it was up to the former Real Madrid manager to accept the role.
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe is set to return to French squad for Nations League quarter-final clash against Croatia having missed from the set up since September 2024. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
