Kylian Mbappe revealed his elation to reunite with the France national team after six months, ahead of the Nations League quarter finals against Croatia.
“I feel good, I feel happy to be playing football, I feel happy to be here,” Mbappe said at a news conference.
The Real Madrid forward missed two games in October due to injury and another pair of games in November, following the decision by coach Didier Deschamps to rest him during a difficult period as he adapted to life a his new club.
However, with Thursday’s first leg contest in Croatia in view, Mbappe admitted his delight to be back with the squad.
“Most of the teammates who are here, we talk pretty much all the time. I go on holiday with some of them. It’s a pleasure to be here.
“The situation may have been unclear to people outside, but it’s always been clear internally,” he added.
The 26-year-old made a long-awaited transfer to Real Madrid last summer, but, he admitted his difficulties in finding his top form for the reigning Spanish and European champions.
Mbappe also found himself at the centre of a scandal last autumn, with Swedish press reporting on a rape investigation in which they alleged his name appeared. However, in December, the Swedish courts closed the case without prosecuting anyone.
“A career is not linear. You have to refocus on what makes you happy and get back to work. If I had to do things differently? I would have played better,” said Mbappe, reflecting back at the end of 2024.
France battle Croatia in Split on Thursday, before hosting the return tie in three days’ time at the Stade de France in Paris.
