Didier Deschamps opens up on real reason Kylian Mbappe was left out of France squad amid Real Madrid pressure claims

The latest ‘Galactico’ addition at Santiago Bernabeu has not been called upon by his country for the latest round of UEFA Nations League fixtures. Eyebrows have been raised there as Mbappe figured for Real in their 2-0 win over Villarreal prior to the October international break despite apparently nursing a knock.

There have been suggestions that the Blancos are influencing decisions made by international coaches, with Mbappe facing criticism for supposedly turning his back on France when he is – as captain of Les Bleus – in a position where he could compete.

Deschamps insists that the decision not to select Mbappe was entirely his, telling reporters ahead of a meeting with Israel on Thursday: “Mbappe was not fit against Villarreal. There was no request. The decision is mine. He played the Villarreal game without being 100 per cent fit.”

Deschamps added when pointing out that picking players that are not in peak physical does nobody any favours, with lucrative contracts needing to be taken into account: “Is this good for the player and for the French team? I don’t think so. It is not the federations who pay the players. It is not just the case of Real Madrid and Kylian.”

Mbappe has earned 86 caps for France, scoring 48 goals and becoming a World Cup winner in 2018. He is a talismanic presence for Les Bleus, but is also still finding his feet with Real and could do without any more fitness setbacks disrupting that process.