(FILES) France's forward #10 Kylian Mbappe looks on during the UEFA Nations League, League A - Group 2 first leg football match between France and Belgium at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Lyon on September 9, 2024. (Photo by Franck FIFE / AFP)
Struggling to make an impact at Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappé has again been left out of the France squad.
The captain was not included on Thursday in coach Didier Deschamps' list of players for Nations League matches. Mbappé was also absent from the previous gathering because of a minor thigh injury.
But this time Mbappé is not injured, and wanted to be selected, Deschamps said. "It’s my responsibility to make decisions. I think it’s better that way," Deschamps said.
He would not elaborate on his choice to do without the striker. "I’m not going to argue,” Descamps said. "What I can tell you are these two things.
One, that Kylian wanted to come. And two, it’s not the extra sporting problems that come into play since the presumption of innocence exists and must exist. It’s a one-off choice for this gathering.”
Mbappé's performances have been below par in recent weeks after he joined Madrid from PSG this summer. His struggles to adapt to his new side's playing style have coincided with a global rough patch of form for the Spanish club.
Mbappé was invisible during the 4-0 loss to Barcelona last month in the clasico and wasn't a factor this week in a 3-1 loss to AC Milan in the Champions League.
Mbappé hasn't added to his 48 goals for France since June.
His absence from Deschamp’s squad last month turned into controversy when he started a Spanish league game for Madrid following his omission, amid sharp criticism from fans.
