Kylian Mbappé, captain of the French national team, is missing from the squad for the second consecutive international break. French Football Federation (FFF) President Philippe Diallo told Le Parisien he hopes to see the Real Madrid striker return soon to the national team setup.
Mbappé’s previous absence in October was officially attributed to an injury, as the forward recovered from a previous knock. His selection for Real Madrid’s last La Liga match before the break, however, stirred some debate over the extent of his fitness. During that October break, Mbappé also made headlines with a brief trip to Sweden, which sparked controversy at the time.
Speculation surrounding Stockholm investigation
Adding to the recent media attention, Mbappé’s name has been linked to an ongoing rape investigation in Stockholm, though Swedish prosecutors have not officially named him as a suspect. According to AFP reports, sources close to the player believe he may be viewed as a suspect by investigators, though this has not been confirmed.
Despite these developments, the investigation was not a factor in head coach Didier Deschamps’ decision to omit Mbappé from this international break’s squad. Deschamps has refrained from giving specific reasons for his captain’s absence, though he has kept the FFF president informed of his decision.
FFF chief looks forward to Mbappé’s return
Although he has not spoken to Mbappé since Euro 2024, FFF President Diallo expressed a strong desire for the Real Madrid star to rejoin Les Bleus. “Kylian is among the best in the world,” Diallo said, acknowledging the challenges the player is currently facing. “My wish, and I believe everyone who loves football shares it, is for him to overcome this difficult period, return to the national team, reclaim the captain’s armband, and guide us toward the 2026 World Cup.”
Diallo added, “All I want is for him to resume his role as the leader of the French team as soon as possible.” With the squad’s next international fixtures set for March, any return by Mbappé would not be until then at the earliest.
