Captain Kylian Mbappe has finally returned to the France team. The French star returned to the squad after more than six months. Meanwhile, PSG’s young Turkish player Desiree Duey has been called up to the national team for the first time. France coach Didier Deschamps announced the team yesterday (Thursday) for the two-legged quarter-final of the Nations League against Croatia.
Coach Didier Deschamps left the 26-year-old Mbappe out of the squad for two Nations League group stage matches in October and November. The Real Madrid star was initially left out due to a lack of fitness. Although it was later revealed that Mbappe’s personal reasons were responsible for the omission, there was little discussion about his exclusion at the time.
Deschamps said that the star made the decision to leave Mbappe out considering the best interests of the team in light of the discussions that had begun around the striker. Mbappe has been in excellent form for Real since then. He has scored 28 goals in all competitions since joining Real last year.
Asked whether Mbappe would remain as captain, Deschamps said, “I spoke to him about it. I confirm what I said a few weeks ago: Mbappe will remain the captain of the team.”
Meanwhile, Deschamps admitted that the diverse duo were brought into the squad as a reward for their excellent form in club football. The 19-year-old wonderkid has scored 17 goals in 23 matches since mid-December when he was given the chance to play regularly for PSG. Apart from the winger position, Douy is equally adept in midfield. He came off the bench and played brilliantly in the second leg of the Champions League last 16 against Liverpool on Tuesday. He scored his first goal from the penalty shoot-out.
Douy joined PSG from Rennes in August for 50 million euros. Douy was part of Thierry Henry’s team, the coach of the French Under-23 team that won silver at the Paris Olympics last year. Deschamps said, “He doesn’t always play in the first team at the club. But whenever he does play, he proves himself. He’s still young at that age, but he’s been the center of our interest. I could have waited a little longer. But I called him now. Because I think this is the right time.’
However, N’Golo Kante has been left out of the squad. Deschamps said the midfielder, who plays in the Saudi Arabian Professional League, is suffering from a muscle injury. France will face Croatia in the first leg of their quarter-final on Thursday. The return leg will be played at the Stade de France on March 23.