France captain Kylian Mbappé will miss this month’s UEFA Nations League games after coach Didier Deschamps announced the squad on Thursday. The 25-year-old Real Madrid star, recently returning from a thigh injury, came off the bench in a 1-0 Champions League defeat to Lille but will sit out France’s matches against Israel and Belgium to focus on his recovery.
“I spoke with Kylian. He has a minor issue, but I don’t want to take any risks, so he won’t be in the squad,” Deschamps explained.
France will face Israel in Budapest on October 10, and Belgium in Brussels on October 14. The decision to rest Mbappé follows the recent international retirement of vice-captain Antoine Griezmann, with Deschamps noting that the team will adjust but won’t seek a direct replacement for Griezmann’s role.
Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku returns to the squad after a lengthy absence, while N’Golo Kante has been left out.
France Squad:
Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Lens)
Defenders: 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)
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (AC Milan), Matteo Guendouzi (Lazio), Manu Kone (Roma), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG)
Forwards: Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele, Randal Kolo Muani (all PSG), Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)
