Yahoo Sports ‘I wanted to go’ – Kylian Mbappé opens up on France absence
Kylian Mbappé (25) has touched on his relationship with the France national team after he was absent from the squad for the past two international breaks.
In the October international break, it was reported that Mbappé did not want to be called up to the team that would play Israel and Belgium, while Didier Deschamps and the FFF president Philippe Diallo both addressed the captain’s absence claiming that it was a decision taken with player welfare in mind.
Foot Mercato also alleged that the former Paris Saint-Germain player and current Real Madrid star has made winning the Ballon d’Or his priority, and in doing so he would only want to compete in “important” matches for Les Bleus, so he could avoid picking up an injury that would derail that dream.
Ahead of the November international break, L’Équipe wrote that it was expected that Mbappé would be back in the team. However, Deschamps omitted Mbappé from the squad and even claimed in the press conference that the captain wanted to be part of the team.
This is something that Mbappé addressed in an interview with Canal+, “I can’t say [why I was left out]. It was the coach’s decision. I stand behind him. I wanted to go, but I can’t say why I wasn’t called.”
However, the Frenchman highlighted that he was fully committed to the national team, “The French team has always been the highest rank in football… I’ve always said there’s nothing more important. My love for the French team hasn’t changed.”
