After more than six months, Kylian Mbappé returned to the national team and spoke about his relationship with coach Didier Deschamps.
The absence of Kylian Mbappé from the French national team at the end of 2024 sparked a lot of discussion. Rumors about a “strained relationship” between Mbappé and coach Deschamps began circulating widely. The Real Madrid star has now addressed these rumors, dismissing them, though he did acknowledge that disagreements with the coach have occurred at times.
Last week, Deschamps announced the French squad for the Nations League quarter-finals against Croatia, marking Mbappé’s return to the team after more than six months. In October and November, Deschamps did not call up Mbappé for the Nations League matches, which created some confusion. At the time, Deschamps did not explain why he left out the captain.
In an interview with French sports newspaper L’Équipe last month, Deschamps explained that he had decided to leave out the team’s best player due to various factors, including his broken nose at Euro 2024, difficult times at PSG towards the end of the season, and his adjustment to a new environment.
In a Monday interview with another French newspaper, Le Parisien, the 26-year-old Mbappé addressed questions about his relationship with Deschamps.
“No (there’s no rift between us). If there had been a rift, I would never have answered his calls. Everyone knows me. If I fall out with someone, I don’t stay in touch, I can’t pretend,” said Mbappé. “That doesn’t mean there haven’t been disagreements at times. But I’ve always had respect and gratitude for the coach. He’s the only coach I’ve had with the French national team, and he gave me my first chance. We’ve achieved success together. A couple of disagreements can’t ruin our relationship.”
“These are not secrets. But some disagreements are private and don’t need to be shared with everyone. In any profession, colleagues have disagreements. But that doesn’t mean you don’t like them or respect them.”
Mbappé has already played 86 matches for the French national team and has tasted World Cup success at a young age. He is currently third on the list of France’s all-time top goal scorers, with 48 goals.
Next Thursday, France will play Croatia away, with the return leg in Paris three days later.
