Published on Nov, 09 2024
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe, one of the most prominent players in world football, is reportedly considering a shocking exit from the French national team following a contentious omission by coach Didier Deschamps. The decision to leave Mbappe out of the squad for the upcoming Nations League matches against Israel and Italy has stirred controversy, with sources close to the player hinting that he may be contemplating his international future.
The 25-year-old has faced a series of on-field challenges in recent weeks. It started with Real Madrid's heavy 4-0 loss to Barcelona in the highly anticipated El Clasico on October 26 at the Santiago Bernabeu. Mbappe’s struggles continued into the UEFA Champions League, where Real Madrid was defeated 3-1 by AC Milan, and once again, Mbappe was unable to make a significant impact.
The back-to-back losses have reportedly intensified Mbappe's dissatisfaction with his role at Real Madrid, particularly with being deployed in a central striker position. The shift from his preferred position is said to be frustrating for the forward, who is known for his explosive pace and dynamic style on the wing.
The recent developments took a sharp turn when Didier Deschamps omitted Mbappe from the squad for France's upcoming Nations League fixtures. Journalist Romain Molina reports that this exclusion has created tensions between Mbappe’s camp, Deschamps, and the French Football Federation, potentially jeopardizing Mbappe’s international future.
Sources close to the situation reveal that Mbappe nearly announced his decision to quit the national team but decided to take some time to consider his options before making any official statements.
Mbappe’s absence has not only been felt by his fans but has reportedly created unease within the French dressing room as well. AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan and other players are said to be frustrated over the special treatment given to Mbappe, which some feel creates an uneven playing field. The discord appears to be adding to the pressure on the French Football Federation to address Mbappe’s issues within the squad.
Adding another layer to the controversy, Mbappe’s mother and agent, Fayza Lamari, has voiced concerns, suggesting that her son is the target of a media conspiracy aimed at undermining his career.
Deschamps, who has coached Mbappe since his national team debut in 2017, attempted to explain his reasoning behind the omission. In an interview, he stated, “I’ve had discussions with him; it’s a decision I took for this block of matches only. Kylian wanted to come.” Deschamps indicated that the exclusion was a tactical decision for the upcoming matches but did not clarify further, leaving room for speculation about the underlying reasons.
This is the second consecutive month that Mbappe has missed out on national team duty, a surprising development considering his integral role in France’s 2018 World Cup-winning squad. At just 25 years old, Mbappe has already accumulated an impressive 86 caps and 48 goals, making him the third-highest scorer in French history.
With a prolific career already established at such a young age, Mbappe’s potential exit from the national team would mark a significant loss for French football. The situation is complex, with personal frustrations, team dynamics, and tactical disagreements all seemingly at play. For now, fans will have to wait and see whether Mbappe will reconcile with Deschamps and continue his journey with Les Bleus or decide to focus solely on hisc lub career at Real Madrid.
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