Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe, the captain of the France national, has come under significant criticism in his home country. He is not part of the French national squad for upcoming international fixtures. The controversy surrounding the 25-year-old striker arises from his decision to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/mbappes-early-return-sparks-friction-between-france-and-madrid/">prioritize his fitness for Real Madrid over representing France</a>. Thus, he raises questions about his commitment to the national team.



In a recent match, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/kylian-mbappe-had-an-agreement-to-join-liverpool-in-2022/">Mbappe</a> played a key role in Real Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Villarreal. Expectedly, it left many fans and media members puzzled as to why he was deemed fit to play for his club but unavailable for France. According to reports, the forward and French national team coach Didier Deschamps had mutually agreed that the player would stay in Madrid to focus on regaining his best form. That way, he would work closely with fitness coach Antonio Pintus as part of a mini-preseason.



Mbappe’s decision to remain in Spain stems from his need to regain full fitness after an interrupted preseason. Returning late from the Euros and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/mbappe-to-miss-key-real-madrid-fixtures-due-to-injury/">nursing a recent injury</a>, he has struggled to find his top form. That’s despite scoring seven goals and providing one assist in 11 matches for Real Madrid this season. His statistics are solid so far. However, the consensus is that the forward has yet to hit the performance levels expected of him.



Real Madrid faces a crucial run of fixtures following the international break. This includes important matches against Celta Vigo, Borussia Dortmund, and Barcelona. To prepare for this demanding period, Mbappe is undergoing intensive training focused on fitness and strength-building. As&nbsp;<a href="https://cadenaser.com/nacional/2024/10/10/mbappe-carga-las-pilas-en-valdebebas-cadena-ser/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cadena SER</a>&nbsp;reports, Mbappe has agreed with Deschamps to focus on club commitments for the time being. Real Madrid and France’s medical staff both understand the necessity of his recovery plan.



<h2>Criticism from media in France about Madrid preference</h2>



Despite the logic behind his decision, the move has not been well-received by everyone in <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/france-national-team-tv-schedule/">France</a>. The French national media, as well as the supporters’ group&nbsp;Irresistibles Français, have criticized Mbappe for prioritizing club over country. The backlash has been especially sharp due to the timing. Mbappe played 90 minutes for Los Blancos just before the international break, only to miss France’s call-up.



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Some have argued that as the captain of the French national team, Mbappe has a responsibility to be present, even if not fully fit. Key figures within the supporters’ group have described his absence as “not normal, as a captain”. This has then fueled the perception that he is putting his club ahead of his national duties.



<h2>What did Deschamps say about Mbappe?</h2>



In response to the controversy, Didier Deschamps has publicly defended his star player. He emphasized that decision with the player’s best interests in mind. Deschamps, who has managed the French national team since 2012, explained that both he and Mbappe agreed that the forward’s fitness must take priority.



“Of course, the most important thing for me is the player’s interest,” <a href="https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/football/equipe-de-france/direct-equipe-de-france-suivez-toutes-les-infos-sur-les-bleus-avant-les-matchs-contre-israel-et-la-belgique_LN-202410070219.html#article_331385" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">he said</a>. “I know full well that he won’t go against his club. He also doesn’t want to go against his national team. But at some point, after a discussion, you have to privilege the player’s interest without making things difficult for him.”



Deschamps further elaborated on the delicate balance between club and country, acknowledging Real Madrid’s position in wanting to ensure Mbappe’s fitness for their own key matches. “I am not here to take risks. I was a club manager, and when you’re at a club, and you think that there is a risk, you can still play players,” he explained, noting that while the decision might be controversial, it was necessary for the player’s long-term health and performance.



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How is Mbappe fit to play for Madrid but not France?

Mbappe has found himself at the center of a heated debate after opting to prioritize his club, Real Madrid, over his national team, France.

How is Mbappe fit to play for Madrid but not France? - World Soccer Talk

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Two years ago, Fabricio Coloccini was named in the Premier League PFA Team of the Year after captaining Newcastle United to the cusp of a UEFA Champions League berth. In attack, Newcastle flaunted a fluid, exciting unit comprised of Demba Ba, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/10/04/papiss-cisses-performances-have-granted-alan-pardew-a-stay-of-execution/">Papiss Cisse</a> and Hatem Ben Arfa, with Yohan Cabaye the architect from midfield.
The same strengths upon which that Newcastle team built its unexpected success and led to the Geordies becoming one of the most popular English teams on the <a href="http://www.livefootballtickets.com">LiveFootballTickets.com website</a> have – in different ways – since developed into weaknesses that have left the club in a comatose state in the English Premier League.
Manager Alan Pardew has struggled under the weight of expectation generated by that stunning season, when he was voted by his peers as Premier League Manager of the Year. His relationship with fans has been strained by a combination of ill-advised PR moves and a regression in both results and the style of football being employed by his team.
The departures of Ba and Cabaye have hardly aided his cause however, with the latter’s big-money move to PSG sanctioned at the behest of owner Mike Ashley and his board. Newcastle’s tight wage policy and profits-first attitude has made replacing the world-class France midfielder a difficult task: the club has sorely missed his quality and presence.
Despite this, Pardew is not himself blameless. The dip in form of the aforementioned Coloccini and a public falling out with the temperamental but talented Ben Arfa (now on loan at Hull City) have at once affected this team’s defensive stability and potency going forward.
Worryingly for Newcastle, their situation has been mirrored by the likes of Steven Taylor, Cheick Tiote and Papiss Cisse, who have failed to recapture their promising form of two seasons ago. Even Netherlands goalkeeper Tim Krul fails to command the same presence he had behind a previously settled defence.
Pardew’s man management has understandably been questioned, though the former West Ham boss has managed to avoid the sack despite one very nervy flirt with relegation. His squad remains lampooned in a curious state, still possessing players of international class but failing to show signs of gelling as a unit or developing a cohesive style of football.
A persistence with a failing 4-2-3-1 formation and the failure to replace Cabaye and Ba – despite a raft of interesting signings – have been at the heart of Newcastle’s struggles. Recent rumours that Coloccini himself will succeed Pardew in a player-manager role perhaps best surmise the state the club finds itself in, having lost any direction and unity previously fostered by the English coach.
This season’s slow start has visibly eroded the confidence of Newcastle’s otherwise capable and talented footballers. Whether a new manager would be able to coax consistent performances out of Moussa Sissoko, Yoan Gouffran and Remy Cabella is a moot point, given the Newcastle board’s reluctance to show interest in creating a football legacy.
For the moment, owner Mike Ashley has indicated his willingness to simply take advantage of the generous financial windfalls that come with simply surviving in the Premier League.
The eight-year contract signed by Pardew in 2012 is arguably the predominant reason he has not been jettisoned by Ashley, who seems unwilling to sack the coach given the generous compensation fee his contract would demand.
So Pardew remains in his position almost by default, and must now instil a fighting quality (at the very least) in a team that seems set for another relegation battle this season.
Trips to Tottenham and Manchester City, follow the visits of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/10/10/steven-gerrard/">Liverpool</a> and Leicester City to St James’ Park after the international break, in what could be a defining month for the club and its beleaguered manager.
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Newcastle players and Alan Pardew must rally together

Newcastle players and Alan Pardew must rally together - World Soccer Talk

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How is Mbappe fit to play for Madrid but not France?

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Newcastle players and Alan Pardew must rally together