Mon Oct 14 06:21:20 UTC 2024: ## France Captain Mbappe Faces Backlash for Skipping National Team Games
**PARIS** – France captain Kylian Mbappe is facing criticism at home for choosing to play for Real Madrid while skipping upcoming Nations League games against Israel and Belgium.
Despite recovering from a muscle injury and appearing in both a Champions League match and La Liga game for Real Madrid, Mbappe was left out of the French national team squad. Coach Didier Deschamps cited a lack of preparation due to insufficient match time, sparking controversy.
Former French international Maxime Bossis questioned the logic of the decision, highlighting the inconsistency of Mbappe being available for club matches but not the national team. Deschamps, in a video released by the French Football Federation, acknowledged the conflict of interest between club and national team commitments, noting that clubs are the primary employers.
Mbappe’s absence adds another layer of complexity as he recently took over the captaincy from Antoine Griezmann, who retired from international football last week. The lack of both captains has forced Deschamps to find alternative leaders for the upcoming matches.
Adding fuel to the fire, France supporters’ group “Irresistibles Francais” criticized Mbappe’s decision, stating that “as a captain, he must be an example for the fans.”
Deschamps, in turn, highlighted the importance of carefully choosing a captain who can handle the responsibility without affecting their performance, emphasizing the need to understand each player’s character and sensitivity.
The controversy surrounding Mbappe’s decision highlights the complex relationship between club and national team commitments for top players, and the weight of leadership responsibilities within a national team.
First Piper 