France squad aware of Kylian Mbappé’s desire to prioritise Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappé (25) has now been absent from the past two international breaks, and whilst the latest omission from the France squad may have come as a surprise to many, it perhaps wasn’t for his teammates, as reported by L’Équipe. 

Mbappé missed the October international break on the premise that he was working himself back to full fitness following an injury, however, his presence in Real Madrid’s starting line-up in their final line-up before the international break saw that official reason scrutinised and contested.

The former Paris Saint-Germain forward spent part of that international break in Sweden, controversially. Since, he is reported to be a suspect in an ongoing rape investigation in Stockholm, although he has not been named by investigators. “Non-sporting matters” nor injury accounts for Mbappé’s absence in the current squad, as confirmed by Deschamps, who evoked a decision that was in the best interests of all parties.

Mbappé looking to preserve himself ahead of Ballon d’Or push

It came as a surprise, but conversations he had with teammates during the September international break, which he almost missed, perhaps provide some clarity. As per L’Équipe, during this international break, which he initially did not wish to attend, he spoke openly at the table and throughout the camp of a desire to prioritise Real Madrid over the coming months. This decision, openly expressed, was taken in order to ensure peak physical form as he looks to ensure collective and individual titles in the coming months, notably of course, the elusive Ballon d’Or.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle