Kylian Mbappe 'going through a delicate period' as FFF president speaks out on Real Madrid forward's absence from latest France squad

Mbappe was absent for the second international period in a row when Didier Deschamps named his squad for France's upcoming Nations League matches. The coach insisted that it was his decision not to include the Real Madrid forward, who he says wanted to be involved.

Mbappe's absence comes amid a difficult time for the 25-year-old. His trip to Sweden during last month's international week was followed by allegations of rape, while his disappointing form since joining Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain has been the focus of criticism.

FFF chief Philippe Diallo admits that Mbappe is not going through his best spell, but hopes to see the 2018 World Cup winner back to his best as Les Bleus have their eye on the next big tournament.

"[Mbappe] spoke a lot with Didier Deschamps. I have a close relationship with the coach, so I was kept informed of their discussions and Didier's thinking," Diallo told Le Parisien. "It is the fruit of these discussions that led him to make a choice. Kylian is one of the best players in the world. He is going through a slightly more delicate period, but the wish, I think, of all football lovers, is that he gets out of it as quickly as possible, that he becomes again the player who made us dream in 2018 and in 2022, that he finds the Blues, the captain's armband, and that he leads us towards the 2026 World Cup and the search for a third star.

"I want to immediately dispel this idea: every time I've spoken to him, I've always seen in Kylian a lover of the French team, respectful of the jersey he wears. I have no doubt about his full and complete involvement, nor about his behavior as captain and towards the group. It can happen that you feel a little less good, and the only wish I express is that he returns as quickly as possible to his place, at the head of the French team."

The attacker will watch on as France take on Israel and Italy in the Nations League over the next week and will aim to be in good shape for Madrid's next La Liga match against Leganes on November 24.