Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe has been left out of France’s squad for their upcoming UEFA Nations League games against Israel and Belgium, Afrosport reports.
Les Bleus head Coach, Didier Deschamps, while announcing the squad on Thursday, said he decided to omit the captain from the upcoming games as a precaution.
Mbappe sustained a muscular injury last month while on duty for his club side, and although he returned to action for Los Blancos on Wednesday, in their UEFA Champions League defeat to Lille, Deschamps thought it wise to rest the former Paris Saint-Germain forward.
The 25-year-old is expected to remain in the Spanish capital during the international break as he continues to work on his return to full fitness.
Mbappe’s Real Madrid teammates Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga, who just returned from a knee injury, made the list.
Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku, who last played for Les Blues in 2023, makes a return to the side alongside in-form Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise.
France lost to Italy at home in their Nations League opener but bounced back by registering a 2-nil victory over Belgium in their second group fixture.
France squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham), Mike Maignan (Milan), Brice Samba (Lens)
Defenders: William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), Theo Hernandez (Milan), Jonathan Clauss (Nice), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Wesley Fofana (Chelsea), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona)
Midfielders: Matteo Guendouzi (Lazio), Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (Milan), Manu Kone (Roma), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG)
Strikers: Marcus Thuram (Inter), Ousmane Dembele (PSG), Bradley Barcola (PSG), Randal Kolo Muani (PSG), Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich).
