June 5 – Manager Thierry Henry has left Kylian Mbappé out of France’s provisional squad for the Paris Olympic Games.
Mbappé was keen to compete on home soil at the Olympic Games with Paris hosting the event – the forward always expressed his desire to participate, but moving to Real Madrid he might feature heavily in a pre-season series of the club. Even so, Henry had a difficult choice – the talent pool at his disposal is second to none and the expectation around the team is high.
“I didn’t draw a line in the hope that something would happen,” said Henry.
“We don’t know what’s going to happen until July 3, but I have to give you a list that’s real. I’ve put together a list that is more in the truth of the moment. Even though the list can evolve. Everything is open to everybody.”
Previously Mbappé had said he wanted to be in Paris, but as a captain he will also lead the French team at Euro 2024. At the Olympic Games, France will take on New Zealand, the United States and Guinea in their group.
They are among the favourites to claim the gold medal. At the Olympic Games in 1984 in Los Angeles, France won the tournament.
France selections:
Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier (Lille), Obed Nkambadio (Paris FC), Guillaume Restes (Toulouse), Robin Risser (Dijon)
Defenders: Bafode Diakite (Lille), Maxime Esteve (Burnley), Bradley Locko (Brest), Castello Lukeba (Leipzig), Kiliann Sildillia (Freiburg), Adrien Truffert (Rennes), Leny Yoro (Lille)
Midfielders: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Joris Chotard (Montpellier), Desire Doue (Rennes), Manu Kone (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Enzo Millot (Stuttgart), Khephren Thuram (Nice), Lesley Ugochukwu (Chelsea), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)
Forwards: Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain), Arnaud Kalimuendo (Rennes), Alexandra Lacazette (Lyon), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Michael Olise (Crystal Palace), Mathys Tel (Bayern Munich)
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