‘Maybe he doesn’t care’ – Questions asked of why Kylian Mbappe didn’t avoid Swedish nightclub storm by ‘chilling in Madrid’

The World Cup winner has been spotted enjoying an evening out in Scandinavia when he could have formed part of his country’s plans for UEFA Nations League action. Mbappe was not selected by Les Bleus for their latest fixtures after picking up a knock at Real Madrid.

He was fit enough to figure for Los Blancos in their last La Liga fixture, but is enjoying a break while his French compatriots battle for Nations League points. Questions were being asked of Mbappe and his commitment to the France cause even before it emerged that he has been partying instead of playing.

A number of team-mates have been quick to speak out in his defence, with the 25-year-old free to do what he likes after being left out of Didier Deschamps’ plans, but Mbappe could have easily avoided a lively debate by staying in Spain.

Former striker Kevin Diaz has made that point to After Foot RMC, saying of questionable antics from another ‘Galactico’ at Santiago Bernabeu: “Kylian Mbappe clearly needed a moment to take a break, and that makes sense. If you’ve ever been an athlete or even just dealt with everyday life, you know how it can be… And especially for him, the level of exposure and pressure he faces must be enormous.

“We shouldn’t focus too much on his age or anything else, but that situation just didn’t seem to add up. It’s understandable that he feels pressure and needs a breather. But after the controversy, even if he had plans, honestly… He could have adapted to the situation. If I were his friend, I’d tell him to cancel it. He could’ve just chilled in Madrid.

“If he wanted to go out, do it in Madrid, but stay at home. Because, you know… Or maybe he doesn’t care, and maybe he doesn’t. But I think, once again, it just gives people the chance to stir things up. I won’t say we’re the worst, but the media is doing its job, analysing and questioning everything. As supporters, we question too, and we have every right to do so.”

There have been claims that Mbappe now only wants to figure for France in “important matches” as he manages his workload and seeks to avoid untimely injuries in his pursuit of the 2025 Ballon d'Or. Real Madrid are not influencing decisions made by the French Football Federation, but they are also eager to see a superstar performer save his best for them – after seeing a forward that they had pursued for a long time register seven goals through his opening 11 appearances in Spain.