- Kylian Mbappe was left out of Didier Deschamps’ most recent France squad
- The French boss claimed that it was only going to be a ‘one-off’ decision
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Didier Deschamps may have claimed his decision to leave Kylian Mbappe out of France’s most recent squad was just a one-off, but sources close to the player have reportedly suggested the situation is ‘a lot more complex’.
The Real Madrid superstar, who has been an integral part of Deschamps’ side since winning the World Cup in 2018, was not involved during the last international break in October.
He had been injured and elected to focus on his recovery rather than join up with the side, though it was a call that provoked ire in France, and Mbappe instead went on a trip to Stockholm in Sweden as his side faced Israel.
In Stockholm, though, a rape investigation mentioned the Real Madrid player, after an alleged attack took place at the hotel where he was staying over the international break: he strenuously denied any involvement.
He had been linked to the incident by the Swedish media, despite no names being officially connected to the case, with the player and his legal representatives dismissing the allegation as ‘slanderous’.
Kylian Mbappe was left out of Dider Deschamps’ most recent France squad last week
Mbappe has not scored since netting for Les Blues in June and currently has 48 goals for his country
Deschamps’ side play Israel on November 14 in Paris then travels to Italy three days later
Last week, after a poor run of form for his club his relationship with the French national team was once again brought under the microscope however, when Deschamps revealed the shock snub for his most recent squad.
Yet sources reportedly close to the player have suggested that there is more to the matter than that. Speaking after announcing his squad, the manager said: ‘I had a couple of talks with Mbappe, and I took the decision to leave him out this time.
‘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.’
According to L’Equipe, sources close to Mbappe have challenged Deschamps’ claim, insisting that the situation is ‘a lot more complex’.
The source said: ‘It is an incorrect version or incomplete from the truth. It is a lot more complex than that.
‘Making people believe that it is the manager’s decision is false. But the most important thing, first of all, is that Kylian can re-discover happiness playing football. The rest will follow.’
Another source, who claims to interact with Mbappe daily, added: ‘Call it what you want but Kylian has had a mental problem for several months. That doesn’t sort itself out just like that. You need time and work, which he is carrying out with specialists.’
Reports from Foot Mercato had suggested that the player was keen to prioritise only ‘important’ games for his country to focus on winning the Ballon d’Or in 2025.
One source alleged that the Real Madrid star was struggling with a ‘mental problem’
Deschamps revealed that he had discussions with his captain but chose not to select him
In announcing his squad for the side’s upcoming games against Israel and Italy, Deschamps hinted that there may be some disagreement between the two, as he left out the 86-time France international, who has 48 goals in that time.
‘We may not agree on everything. These are discussions that I can have with the players. I am not here for the players to tell me that I am the most beautiful and the best. I listen. I have always fed off these discussions, whether individual or collective, protecting all the players.’
‘That’s why I can have a lot of discussions that can go beyond the purely field sphere, because they know very well that we know who spoke if something comes out.
‘These exchanges are important to me. With hindsight, tranquility, as much lucidity as possible, I make the decisions that seem to me to be the best.’
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk