Tensions brewing up between Kylian Mbappe and Didier Deschamps? French coach gives cryptic message on social media

New Delhi: Is French football breaking apart internally? From the outside things look okay, however, internally there has been a glaring rift between the current team captain Kylian Mbappe and head coach Didier Deschamps. Earlier, the French soccer star was accused of rape and sexual harassment at a Swedish hotel, as per local media reports.

Now, as per the team list, Mbappe has not been included in the team list ahead of the UEFA Nations League ahead of the double-header against Italy and Israel. It is the second successive France squad from which the national team captain has been absent after he also missed the October double-header against Israel and Belgium.

Pre-match press conference of Deschamps☟☟

💬 Didier Deschamps sur l’absence de Kylian Mbappé : « j’ai eu des échanges avec lui et j’ai pris cette décision, c’est mieux comme ça (…) Kylian voulait venir, ce n’est pas à cause des problèmes extra sportifs » pic.twitter.com/gNIFoyOnm0

— L’ÉQUIPE (@lequipe) November 7, 2024

While the transfer news of Mbappe has no direct correlation with the Frenchman’s absence from the national side, it is reported that the scandal which has engulfed Mbappe is one of the prime reasons for Kylian’s absence. Interestingly, this incident has also occurred in the past when Benzema and Ribery had found themselves in a similar scandal.

France’s Nations League progress:

France are second in Group A2 of the Nations League, one point behind leaders Italy, ahead of their final two fixtures. They host Israel at the Stade de France next Thursday, November 14, and then play Italy in Milan three days later.

La liste de Didier Deschamps et de l’équipe de France pour le rassemblement de novembre en Ligue des Nations 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/gg86K9otRn

— 90min 🇫🇷 (@90minFR) November 7, 2024

France are five points clear of Belgium in third place and the top two teams will qualify for the quarter-finals, which will take place over two legs next March. The semi-finals and final will be played next June.

French squad for Israel and Italy matches:

Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier (Lille), Mike Maignan (AC Milan/ITA), Brice Samba (Lens)

Defenders: Jonathan Clauss (Nice), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa/ENG), Wesley Fofana (Chelsea/ENG), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan/ITA), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool/ENG), Jules Kounde (Barcelona/ESP), William Saliba (Arsenal/ENG), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich/GER)

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid/ESP), Matteo Guendouzi (Lazio/ITA), N’Golo Kante (Al Ittihad/KSA), Manu Kone (Roma/ITA), Adrien Rabiot (Marseille), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)

Forwards: Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele, Randal Kolo Muani (Paris Saint-Germain), Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea/ENG), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich/GER), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan/ITA)