Mbappe Set for France Return Against Croatia

France captain Kylian Mbappe and Paris Saint-Germain teenager Desire Doue were chosen to the squad for the UEFA Nations League quarter-final against Croatia on Thursday. Deschamps left Mbappe, 26, out of the last two France squads for the Nations League group stage in October and November.

The Real Madrid star was initially benched for fitness issues, then for personal issues. Due to the noise around Mbappe, Deschamps said his decision to do without him was “for the best”.

After joining Real last year, Kylian Mbappe has scored 28 goals in all competitions this season.

“I confirmed with him that he will be the captain,” Deschamps said, answering queries regarding Mbappe’s role as captain.

Doue

Doue, a versatile player, was rewarded for his club form. In 23 games since joining PSG in mid-December, the 19-year-old has scored or assisted 17 goals. Doue excelled as a winger and midfielder for PSG in the Champions League last 16, second leg against Liverpool, scoring the winning penalty in the shoot-out after coming off the bench.

Thierry Henry’s France Under-23 team won the silver medal at the Paris Olympics last year, with Doue joining PSG from Rennes for a reported 50 million euros ($54.1m) in August.

“He is not always a starter for his club but whenever he plays or comes on he has made a lot of progress,” he remarked.

The youthful player is intriguing to us. I could have waited, but I called him now because it’s right.”

France will play Croatia in Split in the first leg of the quarterfinal on Thursday, March 20, in a repeat of the 2018 World Cup final. The second leg is on Sunday, March 23, at the Stade de France.

The victors will advance to the final four, which will take place in either Italy or Germany in June. N´Golo Kante is the most notable absentee from the team, with Deschamps stating that the Saudi Arabia-based midfielder has been nursing a minor muscle ailment.