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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"matchScheduleId":"bltb15444520f7d565f","competitionId":"34pl8szyvrbwcmfkuocjm3r6t"}}</script><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>World Cup winner has been nursing a knock</li><li>Left out of Les Bleus' latest squad as a result</li><li>Figured for Blancos before international break</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

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

<p>The <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/galactico-levels-kylian-mbappe-doesnt-reach-karim-benzema-ankle-france-questioned-injury-pressure-real-madrid/blt31b240dd12c33362" target="_blank">latest ‘Galactico’ addition at Santiago Bernabeu</a> 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.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>There have been suggestions that the Blancos are influencing decisions made by international coaches, with <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/real-madrid-kylian-mbappe-real-captain-jibe-france-fans-skips-nations-league-israel-belgium/blt5ba5f4fbfdfe53da" target="_blank">Mbappe facing criticism for supposedly turning his back on France</a> when he is – as captain of Les Bleus – in a position where he could compete.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Deschamps insists that the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/kylian-mbappe-real-madrid-star-left-out-france-squad-nations-league-ties/bltf4a635efc6906b9c" target="_blank">decision not to select Mbappe</a> 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.”</p>

WHAT DESCHAMPS SAID

<p>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.”</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>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.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

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

Didier Deschamps has given a definitive answer as to why Kylian Mbappe was left out of the France squad, amid talk of pressure from Real Madrid.