Kylian Mbappe left out of France squad, will build fitness at Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe has been left out of the France squad for the Nations League games against Israel and Belgium.

The Real Madrid striker is returning from a thigh injury that kept him out of the derby draw with Atletico Madrid at the weekend although he did come on as a substitute in last night’s 1-0 defeat at Lille in the Champions League.

France boss Didier Deschamps explained he would rather his captain remained with his club to build up to full fitness.

📋 𝐋𝐚 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐥𝐞𝐮𝐬 pour nos 2️⃣ prochains matchs de Ligue des Nations 🙌#FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/mSGiEn9IAK

— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) October 3, 2024

He said: “I had a conversation with Kylian. He has a problem which is not serious. I am not going to take risks, which is why he is not in the squad.”

The squad is also shorn of Antoine Griezmann who retired from international football earlier this week having won 137 caps for Les Bleus.

Griezmann has been a pivotal part in France’s successes under Deschamps and the former Chelsea midfielder said it would be impossible to find a direct replacement.

He added: ”He had such an impact that we can’t play in the same way. I am not necessarily going to change the system, but I am not going to look for an equivalent player.”

Christopher Nkunku returns to the squad after proving his fitness with Chelsea.

France will meet Israel in Budapest on October 10 due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East before taking on Belgium in Brussels four days later.

The France squad is: Alphonse Areola (West Ham United), Mike Maignan (AC Milan); Brice Samba (Lens), Jonathan Clauss (Nice), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Wesley Fofana (Chelsea), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich); Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (AC Milan), Matteo Guendouzi (Lazio), Manu Kone (Roma), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris St-Germain); Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele, Randal Kolo Muani (all Paris Saint-Germain), Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)