PARIS — Kylian Mbappé has reiterated his loyalty to the French national team despite not participating in recent matches. He emphasized that “there’s nothing bigger than the national team.” The 2018 World Cup champion was absent for the Nations League games against Israel and Italy last month. Team coach Didier Deschamps indicated that it was a mutual decision, citing that the player’s issues were both physical and mental.
As the captain of France, Mbappé also missed a previous meeting in October due to a minor thigh injury, although he continued to play for Real Madrid during that time. Speaking in a recent interview with Canal Plus, he expressed, “My love for the France team hasn’t changed.” Deschamps’ comments on his mental health led some to speculate that the star player might be struggling with depression, which Mbappé clarified was not the case.
He stated, “There are people who really are in a depression and who should be helped. This is not a subject which should be taken lightly,” emphasizing that he does not consider himself among them. However, he did address the pressure he faces as captain, hinting at a disparity in treatment compared to his predecessor, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, and addressed critics who questioned his commitment to the national squad. “I’ve always put it above anything else. I even gave my nose,” he remarked, alluding to his broken nose sustained during the European Championship earlier this year.
Mbappé, who will turn 26 on December 20, has scored 48 goals for France, placing him third on the all-time list, just behind Thierry Henry with 51 and Olivier Giroud with 57. Known for his outstanding hat trick in the 2022 World Cup final, his scoring has seen a decline recently, with only two goals in the last twelve appearances for Les Bleus. He decided to give the interview to counter the rampant speculation surrounding his recent struggles, particularly regarding his performance at Real Madrid.
“When you’re a star, if you don’t talk, people talk in your place. That’s why I’m talking now,” Mbappé added, also addressing recent allegations concerning a rape investigation in Sweden for the first time. Despite the rocky start to his career with Madrid, he expressed that he is “very happy” in Spain, following a decade spent with Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain.
He pointed out the challenges of moving to a new country, saying, “You’re jumping into the unknown because you’ve never left your country,” and continued, “I always dreamed of playing for Madrid. Always. It’s the biggest club in the world.” His performance has raised expectations, but he has managed only 11 goals in 21 matches since joining the club, with notable missed penalties against Liverpool and Athletic Bilbao, as well as being frequently caught offside during a significant loss to Barcelona. Coach Carlo Ancelotti has come to Mbappé’s defense, noting that he “can play better,” but Mbappé refrained from elaborating on his individual form, accepting that the overall performance of the team has not met fan expectations.
