France Team: The Blues’ locker room no longer pays attention to Kylian Mbappé
Since Kylian Mbappé’s absence from the French national team, various reports have emerged, including statements from his entourage, who revealed that the player has been dealing with mental health issues for several months, requiring time and professional help. His entourage also contradicted Didier Deschamps’ version of the situation, claiming that it was much more complex than just a decision made by the coach.
However, within the French squad, the topic is barely discussed. The players do not bring up Mbappé’s absence, mainly because his close teammates, like Dembélé and Fofana, are not present, and because it was well known that Mbappé would not be there. Back in September, Mbappé had clearly stated during team meals that he would focus on his club and his ambition to win the Ballon d’Or, while also expressing some disillusionment with certain issues within the national team.
As a result, when Didier Deschamps announced the squad, there were no surprises regarding Mbappé’s absence, unlike the unexpected retirement of Antoine Griezmann, which had stirred the locker room in October. Several players had noticed Mbappé’s distant relationship with Deschamps and his isolation within the team. Additionally, some players mentioned that they had no desire to live the overexposed life of Mbappé, constantly under the media spotlight.
