Since his arrival at Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappé has been going through a tumultuous period. While expectations were high, the striker still seems to be finding his feet. Both on and off the pitch, everything is more complex than it seems, and the native of Bondy has made a shock decision, which he announced to Didier Deschamps, coach of the French national team.
When he joined Real Madrid in the summer, Kylian Mbappé was expected to be the missing piece in re-establishing the club’s total dominance in Europe. But since then, the Bondy native has struggled to establish himself as the undisputed leader of Madrid’s attack. Played up front, a role he does not enjoy, Mbappé’s performance has been affected. Relegated to a position that does not make the most of his natural qualities, he is struggling to rediscover the effectiveness that was his strength at Paris Saint-Germain. Criticism from the Spanish media is pouring in and is beginning to fuel a climate of tension around his integration.
At the same time, problems off the pitch continued to overshadow his performances. These included a case of alleged s3xual assault in Sweden, which attracted considerable media attention. Although no official charges have been laid, the impact on his morale and public image is immense. Added to this is his strained relationship with PSG. The episodes of disagreements and media quarrels when he left continue to haunt him, not to mention his unpaid wages, which he is claiming before the courts.
Kylian Mbappé and the French team, the break confirmed
But what really came as a surprise was Kylian Mbappé’s withdrawal from the French national team. The former Monaco man has not been called up by Didier Deschamps since September, an absence that has caused quite a stir. Officially, injuries were the reason for his absence in October. However, according to an investigation by L’Équipe, the Bondyn striker deliberately chose to concentrate on Real Madrid. During his last Les Bleus squad meeting in September, Kylian Mbappé openly told Les Bleus coach Didier Deschamps of his desire to give priority to his club for the coming months, according to the French media outlet.
This decision is aimed at preserving his physique to maximise his chances of shining at Real Madrid and winning titles, in particular the Ballon d’Or, a goal he has never hidden. Questioned about the situation in a press conference, Didier Deschamps did not hide his annoyance and let slip an unconvincing explanation. But behind the scenes, the unease is real.
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