The France squad came to the defense of Kylian Mbappe after reports emerged that the Real Madrid star had been in a nightclub.
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Mbappe spotted in a nightclub
The France captain was spotted at a nightclub in Sweden on the night of his team’s UEFA Nations League victory over Israel.
Mbappe faced criticism for skipping Les Bleus’ matches against Israel and Belgium, despite being fit to play for Real Madrid.
The forward had sustained a muscle injury in September.
However, Mbappe played in Madrid’s Champions League loss to Lille, as well as their LaLiga match against Villarreal.
France manager Didier Deschamps ommitted Mbappe from his sqaud due to “lack of preparation.”
“He can do what he wants”
Meanwhile, Deschamp downplayed all concerns involving Mbappe’s recent visit to a Swedish nightclub.
“I don’t follow the news of the players who aren’t here. Kylian is on a program with his club, Real Madrid,” he said.
“I don’t know what his program was, if he was off, if he was there or not… I have to manage those who are here. Kylian sent me a message before the match. Afterwards, like any player in any team, he follows the program with one day off. On days off, the players are free to do what they want.”
Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana said that the media has blown reports about Mbappe out of proportion, adding that ‘people can do what they want with their free time.'”
“It isn’t something we [the France squad] have talked about today, I hadn’t heard about this story,” Fofana told a news conference Saturday.
“He does what he wants; he is a great guy and a great professional. Are we making too much of it? I don’t know. He’s the best French player, so it’s normal that it is very publicised.
“I think that from time to time [the media] go a little too far. You should ask Kylian Mbappé for more information.”
Lazio midfielder Matteo Guendouzi also agreed with Fofana’s sentiments.
“We have no doubts about Kylian. … There is no question about his passion [for his country],” he said. “He loves his country; he will continue to help us. We must stop talking about it too much.
“He has days off; he can do what he wants.”
Meanwhile, France sits second in Nations League Group A2.
Les Bleus will play Belgium in Brussels on Monday.
