Kylian Mbappé is absent from the France squad for the Nations League matches against Israel and Belgium. The forward is being given more time to fully recover from his hamstring injury.
Mbappé missed the highly anticipated La Liga derby against Atlético Madrid, a game where his absence was notably felt.
However, just a few days later, he made his much-awaited return in the Champions League clash against Lille. Coming off the bench in the second half, the 37th minute to be precise, the French superstar was expected to make an impact. Despite his presence, he was unable to turn the tide for Real Madrid, who succumbed to a disappointing defeat. Although his return was welcomed, it became clear that he was still not fully fit, leading to cautious decisions regarding his fitness and availability for future games.
As the Nations League matches approach, hopes were high that Mbappé would be ready to don the French national team jersey once again. However, head coach Didier Deschamps confirmed that the star forward would not be included in the squad, opting to give him more time to fully recover from his hamstring injury. Deschamps explained, "I spoke with Kylian, and there are concerns about his situation. His injury is not serious, but he needs time to recover properly." The coach's cautious approach highlights the importance of managing the fitness of such a key player, ensuring that Mbappé can return to his best without risking further injury.
In the absence of their captain and talisman, the French squad will rely on other attacking options. Ousmane Dembélé, another high-profile player, will step in after a recent controversy saw him left out of PSG’s squad for their Champions League fixture against Arsenal. Dembélé, who had an altercation with his coach Luis Enrique, has now been called up by Deschamps, and the French national team will hope that the talented winger can bring his best form to the pitch. Dembélé has been in good form at PSG, and his inclusion will offer a creative spark in Mbappé’s absence.
Another notable absentee is N'Golo Kanté, who is also sidelined due to injury. The tireless midfielder’s absence will be felt, as his ability to control the tempo of games and break up opposition attacks has been vital for France over the years. With both Kanté and Mbappé missing, Deschamps will need to reshuffle his lineup and look to other players to step up and fill the void left by these key figures.
The squad that Deschamps has selected is still filled with talent across all positions. In goal, the trio of Alphonse Aréola (West Ham United), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), and Brice Samba (RC Lens) will provide strong options between the posts. Defensively, players like Theo Hernández (AC Milan), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), and William Saliba (Arsenal) will anchor the backline, while young talents like Levi Colwill will have the opportunity to prove themselves.
The midfield is well-stocked, with Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni expected to lead the charge, alongside PSG’s Warren Zaïre-Emery, who has been one of the standout young talents in European football this season. The midfield dynamic will likely change in Kanté’s absence, with Deschamps relying on the versatility and skill of players like Matteo Guendouzi and Youssouf Fofana to provide both defensive solidity and attacking support.
In attack, France will look to the likes of Randal Kolo Muani, Christopher Nkunku, and Marcus Thuram to deliver goals and create opportunities. All three have been in fine form for their respective clubs, and their presence will add a dangerous dimension to France's forward line. PSG’s Bradley Barcola and Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise are also included, offering additional attacking options alongside Dembélé.
France's upcoming Nations League matches will see them face Israel on October 10th in Budapest, followed by a crucial encounter against Belgium in Brussels just four days later. The match against Belgium is expected to be a high-stakes affair, as France currently sits second in their Nations League group behind leaders Italy. With Mbappé and Kanté absent, the team will need to dig deep to secure crucial points in these encounters. Deschamps will be hoping that his squad can rise to the challenge, even without their star players, as they aim to close the gap on Italy and strengthen their position in the group.
