Kylian Mbappe excluded from France Nations League squad

France captain Kylian Mbappe will not participate in the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Israel and Belgium.

Coach Didier Deschamps announced his decision to leave out the Real Madrid star following discussions about the player’s fitness.

Mbappe recently returned from a thigh injury during his team’s 1-0 defeat to Lille in the Champions League but will now focus on resting and recovering.

Deschamps clarified that while Mbappe’s injury is not serious, taking precautions is necessary to avoid further risks.

France will face Israel on October 10 in Budapest, followed by a clash against Belgium on October 14. With three points in Group A2, France aims to regain ground, especially after vice-captain Antoine Griezmann’s retirement earlier this week.

“He had such an impact that we can’t play in the same way,” Deschamps said of losing Griezmann, who quit aged 33 after winning 137 caps.

“I am not necessarily going to change the system, but I am not going to look for an equivalent player.”

Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku, who won the last of his 10 caps in June last year, returns to the squad, from which midfielder N’Golo Kante is also left out.

France squad

Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham United/ENG), Mike Maignan (AC Milan/ITA), Brice Samba (Lens)

Defenders: Jonathan Clauss (Nice), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa/ENG), Wesley Fofana (Chelsea/ENG), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan/ITA), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool/ENG), Jules Kounde (Barcelona/ESP), William Saliba (Arsenal/ENG), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich/GER)

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid/ESP), Youssouf Fofana (AC Milan/ITA), Matteo Guendouzi (Lazio/ITA), Manu Kone (Roma/ITA), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid/ESP), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)

Forwards: Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele, Randal Kolo Muani (all Paris Saint-Germain), Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea/ENG), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich/GER), Marcus Thuram(Inter Milan/ITA)