Mbappé's absence from the two Nations League matches that the French team is due to play against Israel and Belgium has been very badly received in France.
And the campaign against him in the French media has been ruthless, which is Nothing surprising after the French captain hurt the Gallic pride by leaving for Real Madrid and neglecting PSG.
In France, they are upset about Mbappé's now playing for Real Madrid after recovering from his injury. And they understand that he prefers to focus on the white team rather than on his national team.
Coach Didier Deschamps tried to fix it by claiming that Mbappé is lacking in training and that he has played few games. He also pointed out that the club that actually pays him is Real Madrid.
They Want to Take away His Captaincy
But Deschamps's words have not calmed down anyone. Former international Maxime Bossis told L'Equipe:"If you are injured, you don't play for your cluband you are not drafted for the national team," which was not the case.
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And he gave the example of Michel Platini: "But when you come off the bench in the Champions League and become a starter in a league match, things get blurry."
"Mbappé is a special player. We knew that with Michel Platini, when we still wanted him with us even though he was injured," said former full-back Bossis.
Criticism has been escalating because Mbappé is the captain of France and the French media have taken it as a sign that he has deserted his duties. A campaign has begun to strip the captaincy off him .
And they further provide the example of Antoine Griezmann. He's just announced his retirement from the national team after not receiving the honour of being captain of France. They remind Mbappé that Griezmann played 84 consecutive matches for the national team.
Griezmann as an Example
Fabien Bonnet, leader of the French supporters, has reproached Mbappé for saying that "as the captain, he should be an example for the fans, and he hasn't been so. What is clear is that the real captain, Antoine Griezmann, is no longer here."
Mbappé's break is causing a lot of controversy. "I'm a bit perplexed... There's a real mystery in this story," said Eric Di Meco on RMC's Rothen s'igné.
He added: “The way we have been communicating since the beginning shows that nothing is going well. There are players who aren't coming to the French national team.”
"Some people did it because they were thinking about their body, their fitness, their club... It's always been there, but there's a way to do it and it's with full communication."
“I think Deschamps found out about Mbappé's management like we did on Saturday and I think he was shocked. He really thought he was going to rest, and he saw him play. This weekend everyone was surprised. It's a big upset.”
"Mbappé Does Whatever he Wants"
And he concludes: “I think there is a big problem. There is a strategic error between Mbappé, Real Madrid and the French national team. Be careful with his image, because the public is starting to complain about Mbappé.”
Florent Gauteau added: “What surprises me is Deschamps, the FFF[French Football Federation]and the captaincy we gave him. I don’t think Zidane or Platini did that. Mbappé took the armband without hesitating, as a personal trophy.”
And the controversial Daniel Riolo concludes: “Today we can say something that Mbappé has been clear about for a long time. He does whatever he wants, he doesn't care what people say and he does what is important to him.”