Kylian Mbappe won’t be taking part in the Olympic Games in Paris but will be watching as a fan and hopes France “bring home the gold medal.”
France Under-23 coach Thierry Henry omitted the Real Madrid forward from a 25-player squad which will be cut to 18 by July 3 ahead of the Games.
Mbappe, 25, had previously spoken of his “ambition” to play at the tournament in his home country but was aware any decision was out of his hands and instead the call of his new club, whom he officially joined earlier this month.
The Spanish club’s position is that players who play at this summer’s European Championship or Copa America should not play at the Olympics.
Madrid decided months ago that no player involved in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals or beyond will take part in their pre-season tour as they will need to rest before the start of the 2024-25 campaign, with La Liga likely to get underway in mid-August.
The dates for the Olympic men’s football tournament coincide with their pre-season tour of the United States. Carlo Ancelotti’s side play AC Milan on July 31, Barcelona on August 3 and Chelsea on August 6.
“My club’s position was very clear, so from that moment on, I think I won’t be taking part in the games,” he said at a press conference ahead of France’s Euro 2024 opener against Austria on Monday.
“That’s just the way it is, and I understand that too. I’m joining a new team in September, so it’s not the best way to start an adventure.
“Now I think I’m going to wish this French team all the best. I’m going to watch every game. Of course, as a fan, things will change. I’m both an actor and a spectator, and I hope they’ll bring home the gold medal.”
The Olympics begins on July 24, just 10 days after the conclusion of the European Championship.
France begin their campaign against the USMNT in the tournament’s opening game, before facing Guinea on July 27 and New Zealand on July 30.
(Frederic Scheidemann – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
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