Fit-again Mbappe not selected by France

Kylian Mbappe has been left out of France’s squad for their Nations League games against Israel and Belgium.

Mbappe, who sustained a muscular injury while in action for Real Madrid last month, returned to action for Los Blancos on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old was a substitute but could not help Madrid avoid falling to a 1-0 defeat at Lille in the Champions League.

However, Didier Deschamps has made the call to rest Mbappe for this month’s fixtures.

“He has a problem that is not serious. I’m not here to take risks, which is why Kylian isn’t on the list,” Deschamps told reporters.

Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise, meanwhile, was called up, while Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku has also been selected for the first time since June 2023.

The French Squad List for our next Nations League matches #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/lOJy6Bw76I

— French Team (@FrenchTeam) October 3, 2024

Lucas Digne, who was called up as an injury replacement for the last squad, has kept his place after some impressive displays for Aston Villa.

Mbappe’s Madrid team-mate Eduardo Camavinga has also been called up after recovering from a knee injury.

France lost to Italy in their Nations League opener, but bounced back by beating Belgium 2-0.

France squad in full:

Alphonse Areola (West Ham), Mike Maignan (Milan), Brice Samba (Lens); Jonathan Clauss (Nice), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Wesley Fofana (Chelsea), Theo Hernandez (Milan), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich); Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (Milan), Matteo Guendouzi (Lazio), Manu Kone (Roma), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG); Bradley Barcola (PSG), Ousmane Dembele (PSG), Randal Kolo Muani (PSG), Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Marcus Thuram (Inter).