Mbappé is going through a “difficult time”.

France’s national coach Didier Deschamps has emphasized that the renewed waiver of Kylian Mbappé is not a sanction. After the 0-0 draw against Israel in the Stade de France near Paris, the coach of the Équipe tricolore explained that they would not be taken into account for the games in the Nations League on Thursday and next Sunday in Italy: “Everyone has the right to go through a difficult time gives the physical and the psychological aspect.”

Since Mbappé’s move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid before this season, things have not been going well for the 2018 world champion. The captain had already missed the international matches against Israel (4:1) and Belgium (2:1) in October. He had previously been injured, but was back in action for Real.

In addition, there were media reports about investigations into a rape in Sweden, which Mbappé is defending himself against. “He knows that he has absolutely nothing to blame himself for,” his lawyer Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard told broadcaster TF1. He announced that he would file a complaint for defamation or making a trumped-up crime.

“I stand behind him”

Deschamps reiterated after the game against Israel that Mbappé wanted to join the national team. “But I think it’s better for him at the moment,” said the 56-year-old. He had also previously emphasized that the waiver had nothing to do with the non-sporting headlines. Mbappé is in a complicated situation. “He is going through a phase in his career that is not the happiest,” said Deschamps and assured: “I stand behind him.”