The absence of Kylian Mbappé in Azerbaijan, where France defeated the hosts 1–3 on Sunday in their final match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, has reopened old wounds across the border.
The Real Madrid star, who had scored twice against Ukraine three days earlier, left the national team camp due to an “ankle inflammation,” as explained by Didier Deschamps.
Didier Deschamps and Kylian Mbappé of France
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Camavinga was also released
“I’ve made him available to Real Madrid, who will decide what to do. I felt there was no need to take any risks, given that we’re already qualified,” added the manager, who had also released Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga due to a muscle strain in his thigh.
The issue, however, is that instead of returning to the Spanish capital, Mbappé travelled to Dubai (United Arab Emirates), where he spent several days at the luxurious ‘Atlantis The Royal’ hotel and visited the ‘Padel One’ club, according to the prestigious daily L’Équipe.
The same outlet reports that within the French national team setup there is a strong sense of déjà vu, recalling his repeated absences in the autumn of 2024, right after signing for Real Madrid.
“He is currently going through a delicate sporting moment. When he is the best player in the world, he becomes an irreplaceable asset for the French national team. My only wish is for him to return to his best and rejoin us in March for the next call-up, bringing everything he has always given us,” the president of the French Football Federation, Philippe Diallo, explained at the time.
Six months without playing for Les Bleus
Coinciding with an alleged sexual assault case in Stockholm — of which Mbappé declared himself completely innocent — the Bondy-born forward went six months without wearing the shirt of the two-time world champions.