Victim of an ENT infection, Kylian Mbappé did not take part in France’s victory against Côte d’Ivoire on Friday in Marseille, in preparation for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The 23-year-old world champion, who remained on the bench, will return on Tuesday for the second friendly match of the Blues, against South Africa, at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve-d’Ascq (North).
“He is much better, he will be there on Tuesday”
The good news was announced this Sunday by Didier Deschamps, the coach of the France team, interviewed at the microphone of Téléfoot, on TF1: “He is much better, he will be there on Tuesday”, he declared. In his absence, Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud and Christopher Nkunku – for his first selection – had composed the three-man attack of the France team. It remains to be seen whether the Parisian striker will be a starter or a substitute.
After the victory against Côte d’Ivoire on Friday, Didier Deschamps had already been quite optimistic about Kylian Mbappé: “He is tired by what he has and the treatment he is taking. There were no risks to take. It should be ready by Tuesday. “The Blues striker should therefore celebrate his 54th cap against South Africa. He currently has 24 goals in 44 starts.
The second top scorer in the history of PSG had also been talked about at the start of the rally by refusing to participate in marketing and commercial operations with the various sponsors of the France team. Kylian Mbappé does not wish to see his image associated with certain brands either for ethical reasons or because he has refused them as a personal sponsor.