Three days after the announcement of Antoine Griezmann’s international retirement, Didier Deschamps announced this Thursday his list for the two Nations League matches against Israel and Belgium in October. Kylian Mbappé, who returned from injury with Real Madrid on Wednesday against Lille, is also absent.
No Antoine Griezmann or Kylian Mbappé, the list of the France team announced by Didier Deschamps this Thursday has a funny look. Supported by its two offensive players for years, the Blues will be deprived of them for the two Nations League matches in October, against Israel (October 10 in Budapest) and Belgium (October 14 in Brussels).
For Antoine Griezmann, his absence follows the announcement of his international retirement at the start of the week. For the first time in more than ten years, Didier Deschamps did not cite the Atlético de Madrid striker when listing the selected players. An important page for the France team is turning.
No Mbappé or Kanté
As far as Kylian Mbappé is concerned, the absence is only temporary. The captain of the Blues, injured ten days ago against Alavès, returned to competition Wednesday evening against Lille, in the Champions League (1-0). But he is not yet completely recovered and the French team, in agreement with the player and his club, has decided to let him continue his fitness. This is the first time since October 2019 that Mbappé has been absent from a gathering.
In attack, to compensate for these absences, Didier Deschamps therefore called Christopher Nkunku. Eduardo Camavinga, returning from injury, joins the list, but not Adrien Rabiot, who also continues his physical work with Olympique de Marseille, where he has just arrived. N’Golo Kanté is also absent due to a thigh injury. In defense, Wesley Fofana is called up for the first time since June 2023 and his first cap.
Deschamps’ full list:
Guardians: Alphonse Aréola (West Ham), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Lens)
Defenders: Jonathan Clauss (Nice), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Wesley Fofana (Chelsea), Théo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Jules Koundé (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Backgrounds: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (AC Milan), Matteo Guendouzi (Lazio Rome), Manu Koné (AS Roma), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG)
Attackers: Bradley Barcola (PSG), Ousmane Dembélé (PSG), Randal Kolo Muani (PSG), Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)
