The coach has left his captain out of another set of games, casting doubt on both their relationship and the forward's mental state right now
Top players pulling out of internationals is nothing new. It's been common practice for years. The game's most powerful clubs are always reluctant to release their most valuable commodities for anything other than qualifiers or major tournaments, particularly if there's the slightest concern over a player's fitness.
So, it wasn't a massive shock to see Kylian Mbappe fail to show up for France's Nations League clashes with Israel and Belgium last month – even though the forward had just recovered from a minor muscular problem to start for Real Madrid in the Spanish side's final fixture before the October international break, against Villarreal.
The feeling was that Mbappe would benefit from the rest – and not just from a physical perspective. The 25-year-old hadn't exactly made the best start to his Madrid career following his much-hyped summer switch from Paris Saint-Germain. There were increasing signs that he was buckling under the pressure of trying to justify his monstrous signing-on fee, his colossal wage and, to be brutally honest, his mere presence at the club that didn’t really appear to need him.
However, his absence from the latest France squad has caused all sorts of controversy and effectively confirmed that all is not well with Mbappe right now…
Getty'What people think is the least of my worries'
Mbappe was the golden boy of French football after helping his country win the 2018 World Cup in Russia while still only a teenager. By the time Les Bleus had been dumped out of Euro 2020 at the last-16 stage by Switzerland, though, public opinion had turned. There was undoubtedly a racial element to some of the criticism Mbappe received for his poor performances for France, but there was also legitimate concern over his increasingly petulant behaviour on the field.
The way in which Mbappe propelled Didier Deschamps' team to the final of the 2022 World Cup went someway towards repairing his reputation, but the feeling in France persisted that by constantly catering to his every whim, PSG had allegedly created an egomaniacal monster, a self-absorbed superstar who felt he was bigger than not only his club – but his country.
Consequently, Deschamps' decision to hand Mbappe the captain's armband after Hugo Lloris' retirement from international football was fiercely debated, and the forward's underwhelming displays at Euro 2024 cast further doubt over his leadership skills. However, Mbappe insisted ahead of France's Nations League opener against Italy on September 6 that he was paying no attention to the criticism coming his way.
"I'm at a stage in my life and my career where I don't notice anymore," he said. "I come, I play, I try to do my best, to help the team. What people think is the least of my worries."
In a way, that's probably true, as Mbappe has bigger problems right now. But it's also highly doubtful that he's been unaffected by the dramatic dip in his popularity.
AdvertisementGettyLost his mojo
Mbappe is not playing with the usual level of unwavering confidence in his considerable talent. Swagger seems to have given way to self-doubt since switching to Santiago Bernabeu, the most demanding arena in world football.
He is still averaging a goal every two games in all competitions for Real Madrid, but far more was expected of the highest-paid player in Europe, who is trailing the 36-year-old Robert Lewandowski by eight goals in La Liga's scoring charts. Indeed, the dream move has been a bit of a nightmare so far, with Mbappe being widely mocked for his poor performances and propensity for being caught offside.
There were always doubts over how well he would slot into Madrid's already formidable forward line, but it wasn't thought that his insertion would prove quite so problematic, particularly for Jude Bellingham, whose output has dropped significantly this season.
As at Euro 2024, questions are now being asked of Mbappe's ability to lead the line, which does not bode well – because it's not as if he deserves to start in his preferred position on the left wing ahead of Vinicius Jr, who is both outscoring and outperforming him.
Getty'No longer as scary'
Tellingly, many long-time Mbappe followers are not in the least bit surprised.
"Despite impressive statistics, Kylian has been average and insufficient for several months, whether in the French team, PSG or in Madrid," World Cup winner Christoph Dugarry told . "For several months, whether in the French team, with Paris Saint-Germain or currently in Madrid, he needs to improve in his role as an attacker, in duels, in the physical challenge when you play in this position, in his heading game and his technical quality.
"He makes less and less of a difference and needs to question himself. He will have to improve because we are also seeing Mbappe's technical limitations. We know that he is not in the top 10 most technical players. And today, his limitations are obvious with a player like Vinicius next to him."
As Dugarry's former team-mate Bixtente Lizarazu pointed out, facing Mbappe used to be the most terrifying test in football for a defender – but not right now.
"Perhaps he is less serene than usual, more tense because it's taking him time to find the best footballing version of himself," the ex-Bayern Munich full-back told . "But Mbappe is no longer as explosive or decisive as he was. He remains a very good goal-scorer, a very good player, of course, but he is no longer as scary as before."
The question is, why?
Getty Images'Psychological breakdown'
Ibrahima Konate has often told Mbappe, "I want your level of football, but not your life" – a rather revealing insight into the level of stress, strain and scrutiny his international colleague finds himself under.
"Sometimes I put myself in his shoes, and if I had all this hype around me, I don't know if I would have held on," the Liverpool defender told reporters just last month. "He has managed to do it and he continues to do it. He may have a psychological breakdown in his life, I have no idea, but I would like to discuss it with him. But you have to put yourself in his shoes. Everything that revolves around him is… He has no life! He has no life! And it must be hard for him."
Dayot Upamecano has also intimated that, psychologically, Mbappe is struggling at the minute.
"The mental aspect is very important for us footballers," the centre-back said after Mbappe was left out of the squad for the October Nations League games. "I won’t go into details. But he is our captain and I hope to see him soon."
As it stands, it will be March before Mbappe returns to the France fold, but there has been speculation that he might not return at all – at least as long as Deschamps remains at the helm.
