Mbappé's Missing Match: France Divided Over a Star's Absence

Mbappé absence ignites debate ahead of France vs Azerbaijan

Kylian Mbappé's absence from the French squad for the upcoming match against Azerbaijan has sparked a heated debate inside French sport circles, with some analysts suggesting that how the PSG star is managed amounts to special treatment that others do not receive.

According to the Spanish newspaper AS, the French Football Federation announced yesterday that Mbappé would miss the game due to inflammation in his right ankle.

The striker had just found the net twice in Thursday's 4-0 victory over Ukraine, a result that secured France's qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

The federation's official statement added that he "continues to suffer from right ankle inflammation and requires further tests, to be conducted today in Madrid."

This decision sparked widespread debate in France, particularly after former international Jérôme Rothen criticized the move, questioning the need for Mbappé to travel to Madrid instead of going to Baku with the rest of the squad.

Others weighed in differently. Former France star Emmanuel Petit argued that the fuss was overblown, noting Mbappé's status and his contributions: "We are talking about the best player in the team, a captain who has delivered in big games." He added that some level of preference exists in football, but it doesn't surprise him given Mbappé's impact.

Mbappé also spoke about his ambitions for the World Cup 2026 in an interview with TF1, stressing pride in representing France while urging humility and honoring the victims of the November 2015 attacks. He emphasized the importance of the journey, the speed of play in the second half, and the desire to lift the trophy alongside France's 48-team format in 2026.

As for the team, Mbappé reflected on his 400th career goal and the notion that personal milestones are important but secondary to the team's success. Deschamps has led Les Bleus since 2012 and has indicated he will depart after the 2026 World Cup, having guided the team to two recent finals and three World Cup appearances in the past decade. France will pursue a 17th World Cup finals appearance and an eighth in a row under his tenure.

In short, an absence that is more about management and strategy than it is about performance, with a dressing-room dynamic to watch as the road to 2026 unfolds.

Punchline 1: If Mbappé's ankle had a passport, it would have travelled more than the rest of the squad this week.

Punchline 2: The travel schedule is so flexible that even Mbappé's calendar is left on red-eye—goalkeepers please check the skies.