Kylian Mbappé has been excluded from the France squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches, even though he has recently returned from injury.
The Real Madrid forward missed the 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid on Sunday due to a thigh injury but made a brief appearance off the bench during a surprising 1-0 defeat to Lille in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Despite his recovery, France head coach Didier Deschamps has opted not to include the 25-year-old in the squad for the upcoming matches against Israel and Belgium.
“I had an exchange with Kylian. He has a problem which is not serious. I am not going to take risks, which is why he is not in the squad,” Deschamps told reporters in Paris.
Mbappé has netted seven goals in 10 appearances since joining Real Madrid this summer.
Another significant absentee from the squad is Antoine Griezmann, who announced his retirement from international football on Monday.
“He had such an impact that we can’t play in the same way,” Deschamps said of losing Griezmann, who retired aged 33 after winning 137 caps.
“I am not necessarily going to change the system, but I am not going to look for an equivalent player.”
Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku, who earned his last cap in June of last year, makes his return to the squad, while midfielder N’Golo Kanté is absent.
France will play their away match against Israel on Thursday, October 10, in Budapest due to security concerns in the Middle East. They will then face Belgium in Brussels on Monday, October 14.
Currently, Les Bleus sit second in Group 2 of League A with three points from two games, while Italy leads the group with six points.
France squad
Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham United), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Lens)
Defenders: Jonathan Clauss (Nice), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Wesley Fofana (Chelsea), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (AC Milan), Matteo Guendouzi (Lazio), Manu Kone (Roma), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris St-Germain)
Forwards: Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele, Randal Kolo Muani (all Paris Saint-Germain), Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)