France captain Kylian Mbappe has been omitted from his nation’s squad for the games against Israel and Italy coming up this month in the Nations League, according to head coach Didier Deschamps.
Deschamps did not specify if the Real Madrid forward has been left out due to injury but insisted his decision is a “one-off” and Mbappe “wanted to come” and join the team.
The 25-year-old, who has had a worrying start to life in the Spanish capital following his transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, missed the last two France games against Israel and Belgium.
“I’ve had discussions with him, it is a decision that I took for this block of matches only,” Deschamps said in his press conference. “Kylian wanted to come.”
France — who occupy second in Group A2 a point behind Italy after four games — battle Israel next Thursday at the Stade de France before travelling to face the Azzuri on November 17th.
