Why Kylian Mbappe is not playing for France as Didier Deschamps cites 'one-off decision'

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France captain Kylian Mbappe continues to come under fire in his home country for his absence over another international break.

The Real Madrid star missed both of Les Blues’ games in October and has been left out again by Didier Deschamps again this week.

Mbappe is undisputedly France’s biggest star but his relationship with the national team has been fraught since he was named captain.

The 25-year-old was controversially picked to succeed Hugo Lloris last year over Antoine Griezmann, who was instead chosen as his vice.

The latter’s commitment to France has never been doubted having played a record 84 consecutive matches for them from 2017 to 2024.

However, the breakdown of Mbappe’s tenure at Paris Saint-Germain coupled with France’s disappointing Euro 2024 campaign – his first tournament as captain – has seen his popularity back home fall.

Real Madrid’s No.9 was booed during the international break in September after claiming the criticism about Les Bleus' playing style was ‘the least of his concerns’.

Atletico Madrid star Griezmann announced his retirement from international football last month, with Mbappe’s absence from Deschamps’ squad since then further complicating the situation.

Why Mbappe is not playing for France?

French manager Deschamps omitted Mbappe from  Nations League matches against Israel and Italy, despite claiming the forward ‘wanted to come’.

Deschamps told reporters: “I had discussions with Kylian and made my decision. It's better this way.”

The World Cup-winning coach added: “Mbappe wanted to come with us, it's not because of any other problem.”

Deschamps said the decision was unrelated to the allegations made against his star man by a Swedish newspaper regarding a trip he made to the country in October – the same night that his France team-mates beat Israel 4-1.

Mbappe himself has branded those claims ‘fake news’ online and his representatives described them as ‘totally false and irresponsible’.

Officially, Mbappe was ruled out of the France squad in October as a precaution due to a thigh injury he sustained in Real Madrid’s 3-2 win over Alaves.

However, he made a surprise early return against Lille in the Champions League on the eve of Deschamps' squad announcement.

Mbappe received a hostile reception for his first outing in his homeland as a Madridista but was still excluded from France’s October fixtures.

The ill feeling deepened when Mbappe was deemed fit to start Madrid’s win over Villarreal three days later.

During an exclusive interview with talkSPORT, Emmanuel Petit gave a damning insight into the national sentiment regarding the national captain – claiming fans dislike him.

“Listen, I told you what I told you,” Deschamps, who handed Mbappe his senior international debut as an 18-year-old in 2017, said Wednesday.

“You are free to speak, and interpret that. I have a game tomorrow, There are 23 players here. Kylian isn't here – please leave him alone.”

Mbappe, who has 48 goals for France, managed just one at Euro 2024 (from the penalty spot) after breaking his nose in their first game.

His Madrid commitments prevented him from playing in the Paris Olympics and then he blanked in both Nations League games in September.

Since linking up with Los Blancos this summer on a free transfer, Mbappe has chipped in with eight goals in 16 matches in all competitions – but only one of those has come in his last six appearances.

Such is his struggles in Spain that Madrid president Florentino Perez is reportedly keen for manager Carlo Ancelotti to prioritise him tactically over Ballon d’Or runner-up Vinicius Jr.

Petit, who won 63 caps for France, was asked by talkSPORT’s Jason Cundy if Mbappe had also now become a problem in the national team.

The former Arsenal star’s response was telling.

“Yes,” Petit told talkSPORT Drive.

“I think this is the next episode of a long story that started almost 16 months ago with Paris-Saint Germain and the national team.

“With Euro 2024, he was not good at all. The communication is bad, really bad. He’s been amazing in terms of communication for years. Now, it’s not the same anymore.

“The feeling of the French fans is really bad when you talk about Kylian Mbappe, because they don’t like him anymore.

“That’s why he’s under so much pressure in France but as well in Madrid.”