- 20 hours ago
Kylian Mbappe’s mental struggles: Deschamps’ reveals France star’s tough transition to Real Madrid
Robin Bairner
- 15 Nov 2024 01:31 CST
- 3 min read
France coach Didier Deschamps has opened up about the challenges that Kylian Mbappe is currently facing, shedding light on the Real Madrid striker’s fragile mental state amidst his high-profile transfer.
Mbappe was absent from France’s scoreless home draw with Israel in the Nations League on Thursday, a match in which Les Bleus were dominant but lacked killer instinct around the box.
He has been left out of Deschamps’ squad for these international fixtures, with the World Cup-winning coach simply stating that the decision is for the best of everyone involved.
Naturally, after his side drew a disappointing blank against Israel, he was asked more about Mbappe and the reasons for his absence.
“Leave him alone. I've said what I had to say. He's in a complicated situation,” Deschamps told the media.
According to the France boss, both physical and psychological factors have impacted Mbappe’s performance. He urged respect for the player’s privacy, highlighting the toll of constant scrutiny.
“He's going through a period that's not the happiest of his career. Despite everything, he wanted to come. I think it's better for him at the moment that he’s left out,” he continued.
“Everyone has the right to have a complicated period. There's the physical aspect, the psychological aspect, too. There are constant interpretations of what I do, whether I speak or not. So I'm careful with my words.”
STATS
Kylian Mbappé
F (C)
Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappé
F (C)
Real Madrid
Mbappe’s struggles at Real Madrid: Adjusting under pressure
Mbappe appears to have struggled to cope with the pressure since leaving PSG for Real Madrid on a blockbuster free transfer this summer, with the Frenchman subject to significant scrutiny at the Bernabeu, despite a comparatively good scoring record.
Indeed, there have been reports that he is already unhappy at his new club, where he finds himself fighting Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham for the spotlight.
On top of this, he has been attacked back in France for a perceived lack of commitment to the national team. His colleagues with Les Bleus have defended him, Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate going so far to tell the press that he would “not like his teammate’s life”.
While it’s certainly too early to press the panic button, the signs are that the switch to Real Madrid, and all that goes with it, is proving more complicated than Mbappe and his entourage might have wished.
