Kylian Mbappé Under Fire in France for Prioritizing Real Madrid Over Les Bleus
France’s star forward Kylian Mbappé is facing heat back home for skipping his country’s Nations League matches against Israel and Belgium, despite being fit and available to play for Real Madrid. The 25-year-old picked up a muscle injury last month, but made a swift return to the pitch in the Champions League last Wednesday, and then started for Madrid against Villarreal on Saturday.
Mbappé’s absence from the France squad was confirmed by coach Didier Deschamps, who cited the player’s lack of preparation as the reason. However, critics argue that Mbappé’s decision to prioritize Real Madrid over Les Bleus is a slap in the face for the national team and its fans.
“What’s the point of being captain if you’re not going to be an example for the fans?” said Fabien Bonnet, spokesperson for the Irresistibles Francais, the main France supporters’ group. “Kylian Mbappé’s decision is a clear lack of commitment to the national team.”
Former France international Maxime Bossis also chimed in, saying: “Either you’re injured and you don’t play with your club and you’re not called up in the national team. But when you come off the bench in the Champions League and you start a league game, it makes things fuzzy. He’s a special player, we’ve known that with Michel Platini, when we still wanted him with us when he was injured.”
Mbappé’s situation is complicated by the fact that he is the national team captain, a position he inherited after Antoine Griezmann’s retirement from international football. Griezmann, who played a record 84 consecutive matches for France, was known for his commitment to the national team and his leadership on the pitch.
France’s failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup under the captaincy of Hugo Lloris was a turning point for the team, and Griezmann’s departure has left a void that Mbappé is struggling to fill. While Mbappé has the talent and potential to be a great captain, his actions on the pitch are not matching his words.
France’s next Nations League matches are against Israel on Thursday and Belgium on Monday. The team will need to regroup and refocus if they want to make a strong impression in the competition.
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