Kylian Mbappe‘s early days at Real Madrid were somewhat rocky. Despite scoring eight goals and providing two assists in 16 appearances, the former Paris Saint-Germain star is still struggling to find consistency.
As reported by İdman.biz, as a result, France head coach Didier Deschamps did not include his captain in the squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches in November.
The Frenchman’s debut in El Clasico turned out to be particularly difficult: on October 26, Real Madrid was defeated by Barcelona with a score of 0:4 at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. The bad luck continued last week when they lost 1-3 to AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League.
After two difficult defeats, the capital club bounced back on Saturday with a convincing 4-0 win over Osasuna. Vinicius Junior scored a hat-trick and Jude Bellingham ended his goal drought. The Frenchman could not distinguish himself.
Antoine Simonneau, correspondent for L’Équipe in Madrid, discussed Kylian Mbappé’s current situation and the harsh criticism he faces in France in an appearance on Carrusel:
“Right now he’s depressed and has a lot of problems,” Simonneau said. “He has fallen out of favor a lot. He is at the center of a lot of people’s anger because at the end of the day he doesn’t have a captain’s attitude and that worries a lot of people in France.”
“I think Kylian has a bit of a psychological problem because you can tell he’s not the right one on the pitch; he’s also not obedient and we don’t see him having fun. All this, combined with the fact that he thinks he is not as loved in his country as he would like, I think causes general discomfort and affects his performance on the field.”
“The fact that the captain is not called up to the French national team causes a lot of anger and disappointment. I also think it’s partly to protect him from all this, because if he gets called up, he has to talk to the media. So this is a way protect it both in the media and from a sporting point of view.
Deschamps knows how important Mbappe is to winning titles. On a personal level, he has great respect for him and values him highly. The two of them are the main ones in France. I think not calling him out is a way to protect him.”
How might Kylian Mbappe’s current performance impact his future with the French national team?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Football Expert
Time.news Editor: Good day, and welcome to another edition of Intersections! Today, we’re diving into the intriguing situation surrounding Kylian Mbappe and his omission from the French national team. Joining us is renowned football analyst, Dr. Claire Lefevre. Claire, thank you for being here.
Dr. Claire Lefevre: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss such an interesting topic.
Time.news Editor: Kylian Mbappe’s start at Real Madrid has been a mixed bag, to say the least. With eight goals and two assists in 16 appearances, do you think the transition from PSG to Madrid has been harder than he anticipated?
Dr. Claire Lefevre: Absolutely. Moving to a club with such high expectations and a vastly different culture can be challenging even for top-tier players. The pressure at Real Madrid is enormous, and he’s had to adapt not just to a new style of play but also to the intense scrutiny that comes with being their star player.
Time.news Editor: It seems like his rocky start has influenced his standing with the national team, leading Didier Deschamps to leave him out for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches. Why do you think Deschamps made that decision?
Dr. Claire Lefevre: Deschamps values consistency and form, especially when it comes to critical matches. While Mbappe is undeniably talented, his current performance at club level hasn’t been consistent enough. Deschamps likely believes there are players in better form who can contribute more positively to the squad right now.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned his performance. He had a particularly tough match during El Clasico, suffering a 0-4 defeat against Barcelona. How do you think that’s affected his confidence?
Dr. Claire Lefevre: Losing in such a high-stakes match—especially in front of their home fans—is undoubtedly disheartening. It can sap a player’s confidence, particularly if they feel they didn’t contribute effectively. The way he responds to these setbacks will be crucial for his development at Madrid.
Time.news Editor: And after the Barcelona defeat, Real Madrid faced another setback, losing to AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League. Do you think this sequence of losses has further complicated his situation?
Dr. Claire Lefevre: It certainly does. Continuous losses can weigh heavily on a player’s mind, leading to increased pressure and self-doubt. However, football is about resilience. How well he bounces back in the upcoming matches will be a telling sign of his character and ability to handle adversity.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of bouncing back, Real Madrid did finally find some form with a convincing win following those defeats. How critical is it for Mbappe to build on that positivity?
Dr. Claire Lefevre: Vital! Success in football is often about momentum. If Mbappe can grab hold of this victory and translate it into personal and team success in future games, it could be a turning point not just for him but for the entire team as well.
Time.news Editor: looking forward, what do you think the implications are for Mbappe’s future with the national team if his struggles at Madrid continue?
Dr. Claire Lefevre: The implications could be significant. Consistent performance is crucial for any player looking to represent their national team, especially ahead of major tournaments. If his current form doesn’t improve, he might find himself sidelined more frequently as Deschamps looks to build a competitive squad.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Claire, for your insights today. It’s always fascinating to delve deeper into the complexities of player dynamics and team strategies. Let’s see how Mbappe navigates the next phase of his career, both at club and international levels.
Dr. Claire Lefevre: Thank you! I look forward to seeing how this story unfolds.
Time.news Editor: And to our audience, thank you for tuning in! Don’t forget to follow the latest developments in football and more right here at Time.news.