Mbappe Set for France Return in March?

Head coach Didier Deschamps announced on Friday that Captain Kylian Mbappe will be back for the Nations League quarter-final games against Croatia on March. Having signed with Real Madrid in July, the 26-year-old striker with 86 caps for France was not named in the teams for their Nations League games in October and November.

“Of course he will be there. For what reason would he not be? Indeed, for very specific reasons (he was not here) but he will be here should nothing happen to him between now and then,” said in an interview with French sports publication L’Equipe.

“Although he has had a mixed personal period, he is quite dedicated to the French squad. You can see in his game and in his thoughts too that he is back to full condition.

Players, especially Mbappe, are starting to worry about the soccer schedule since more events could cause injury. Mbappe claimed in December, nonetheless, he is dedicated to France despite past absences.

One of the reasons the coach mentioned for not summoning Mbappe up during the international break was his period of adjustment with Real.

” Few holidays, little preparation, six complex months in Paris, back pain, a broken nose at the Euro – these things obviously have athletic and psychological consequences, not to mention his adjustment to Madrid,” Deschamps said.

“It took some time, but he did everything required, so it came together.”

Deschamps answered, “There have always been internal debates, individual or collective… asked whether Mbappe’s absences will affect his leadership role. And (the last international break) his leadership is not called into doubt.

“I have no cause today to state he won’t be captain in March. But we usually talk about this, hence I will talk to him as well.

Deschamps, the longest-serving national team coach for France, will not be looking to extend his contract, according to the French soccer federation (FFF), which informed Reuters last month.