As the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/france-national-team/">French national team</a> looks toward the 2024 Nations League, internal strife and high-profile disputes threaten to disrupt its progress. Amid reports of&nbsp;<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/kylian-mbappe/">Kylian Mbappe</a>’s&nbsp;ongoing absence and lingering frustration among other players,&nbsp;Didier Deschamps&nbsp;finds his position as coach increasingly tenuous, with&nbsp;Zinedine Zidane&nbsp;emerging as a widely discussed alternative. Adding to the friction is&nbsp;Ferland Mendy’s&nbsp;dissatisfaction with his limited playing time, fueling broader questions about Deschamps’ leadership and squad management.



Deschamps’ decision to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/mbappe-out-of-frances-national-team-reasons-behind-deschamps-decision/">exclude&nbsp;Kylian Mbappe&nbsp;from the French squad</a> for a second consecutive call-up has sparked considerable debate. The absence of the 25-year-old superstar, combined with Deschamps’ vague explanation—”It’s my decision; it’s better this way”—has fueled speculation about the strained relationship between the coach and his captain. Deschamps assured fans that he communicated directly with Mbappe, yet his reluctance to provide further details has left room for speculation about the nature and extent of their fallout.



This situation inevitably <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/rising-tensions-in-france-are-zidane-and-mbappe-the-end-of-deschamps-era/">draws comparisons to the&nbsp;Karim Benzema&nbsp;affair</a>, a scandal that saw the Real Madrid striker barred from national duty for six years due to off-field controversies. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/karim-benzema/">Benzema</a>’s absence and strained relationship with Deschamps cast a shadow over the team’s unity, and similar concerns now surface as Mbappe’s national future remains in question. Romain Molina, a prominent French journalist, recently stated that Mbappe, along with his mother and manager, feels alienated from both the French press and sections of the public, leading to speculation that he may not wish to return to the squad anytime soon.



<h2>Zidane rumors fuel growing discontent</h2>



With Deschamps’ role under scrutiny, there is a rising chorus of voices within the squad and beyond who are calling for&nbsp;Zinedine Zidane&nbsp;to take charge. Zidane, a revered figure in French football and former manager of Real Madrid, is currently available, making him an appealing candidate. Romain Molina’s recent comments suggest Zidane’s arrival could reinvigorate a team mired in tension. However, the French Football Federation has dismissed rumors of an immediate managerial change, stating its confidence in Deschamps’ ability to lead France to the 2026 World Cup.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20241112_WST_539460_France-turmoil-Ferland-Mendys-growing-discontent-amid-Mbappe-saga-and-Zidane-rumors-2-1200x675_b384f48e.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-539461" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/France-turmoil-Ferland-Mendys-growing-discontent-amid-Mbappe-saga-and-Zidane-rumors-2-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/France-turmoil-Ferland-Mendys-growing-discontent-amid-Mbappe-saga-and-Zidane-rumors-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/France-turmoil-Ferland-Mendys-growing-discontent-amid-Mbappe-saga-and-Zidane-rumors-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/France-turmoil-Ferland-Mendys-growing-discontent-amid-Mbappe-saga-and-Zidane-rumors-2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/France-turmoil-Ferland-Mendys-growing-discontent-amid-Mbappe-saga-and-Zidane-rumors-2-740x416.jpg 740w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/France-turmoil-Ferland-Mendys-growing-discontent-amid-Mbappe-saga-and-Zidane-rumors-2-490x275.jpg 490w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/France-turmoil-Ferland-Mendys-growing-discontent-amid-Mbappe-saga-and-Zidane-rumors-2-250x140.jpg 250w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/France-turmoil-Ferland-Mendys-growing-discontent-amid-Mbappe-saga-and-Zidane-rumors-2.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



Former French international&nbsp;Jerome Rothen&nbsp;believes that Deschamps’ decision to leave Mbappe out “will leave its mark” on the team, creating a potential rift that could affect locker-room dynamics. Rothen, expressing the sentiments of many observers, questioned the logic of sidelining the squad’s captain for “protection” and warned of the long-term effects on the group’s morale and cohesion.



<h2>Mendy’s frustration: Limited playing time and growing regret</h2>



In addition to Mbappe’s ongoing conflict,&nbsp;Ferland Mendy—Real Madrid’s versatile defender—has also expressed dissatisfaction with his role in the French team. The 29-year-old withdrew from France’s recent international squad due to an injury but hasn’t been called up in the last two international breaks. According to&nbsp;L’Equipe, the defender regrets his decision to align himself with France rather than accept a call-up from&nbsp;Cameroon&nbsp;in 2018, feeling that his limited playing time during the Euro 2024 tournament has stunted his international career.



Mendy’s resentment is yet another indication of the larger issues at play within Deschamps’ squad, where talented players feel underutilized or sidelined. Deschamps’ roster decisions and management style have come under criticism, with growing voices questioning whether the current structure is enabling players to perform to their fullest potential.

France turmoil: Ferland Mendy’s growing discontent amid Kylian Mbappe saga and Zinedine Zidane rumors

France turmoil: Ferland Mendy’s growing discontent amid Kylian Mbappe saga and Zinedine Zidane rumors - World Soccer Talk

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As the summer international soccer competitions approach, Real Madrid will have to contend with Mbappe potentially playing in the Olympics. The top players in the world may be subject to competing in both Paris 2024 and the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/uefa-european-championship-tv-schedule/">European Championships</a> or Copa America.



But <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/france-to-add-mbappe-and-two-euro-2024-stars-for-olympics/">France</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/real-madrid-tv-schedule/">Real Madrid</a> could have a different story, as per <a href="https://www.lequipe.fr/Jo-2024-paris/Football/Article/Le-real-madrid-refuse-de-liberer-ses-joueurs-francais-pour-les-jo/1454754" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">L’Equipe</a>. Los Blancos have reportedly decided not to send any of their players to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Since the Olympic Games are not an official FIFA event, the choice to send players goes to the clubs.



July 26–August 11 is when the international multi-sport tournament is held in France. So, it is ultimately up to the clubs to decide if their players may compete in the Olympics. In addition, France boss Thierry Henry has also suggested Madrid will not send any players to the 2024 Summer Olympics.



“We know very well that Real Madrid is an institution but once again, one must stay in one place and try to send an email to see if we can have a meeting. If ever there is a meeting, we will try to plead our case. If the no stays as a no, I don’t have the cards in my hand to try and get something”, Henry told <a href="https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/jeux-olympiques/jo-de-paris-2024-je-les-aiderai-oudea-castera-interviendra-pour-que-mbappe-griezmann-et-les-stars-soient-presentes_AV-202403210218.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RMC</a>.



<h2>What Real Madrid defender thinks about Mbappe and the Olympics</h2>



With so many players available to the La Liga leaders, the Arsenal icon was hoping to include some of them in his team, so this is a huge disappointment. Three French players in Carlo Ancelotti’s team, including 24-year-old Tchouameni, are vying for a spot on Les Blues’ Olympic roster.



Due to Real Madrid’s attitude, several more French national team stars like Ferland Mendy, and Eduardo Camavinga could not be able to compete. Also, if Kylian Mbappe signs with the Spanish club this summer—as has been widely reported—it may have an impact on him.



Even though it is Los Blancos’ choice, Tchouameni made his feelings about competing in the Olympics known. “It’s clear that playing in the Olympic Games in our country is extraordinary.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240322_WST_496824_Tchouameni-Olympics-1200x670_15f0d8b2.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-496865" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/Tchouameni-Olympics-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/Tchouameni-Olympics-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/Tchouameni-Olympics-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/Tchouameni-Olympics.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



“It’s something we will not be able to repeat in our lifetime, but Real Madrid are our employers and if they decided to veto our presence, we have nothing to say about it.



“Plus, I think everyone knows that it’s not necessarily good to disagree with your employer on a daily basis. We would’ve liked to participate but we will support our country as fans”, <a href="https://www.marca.com/futbol/real-madrid/2024/03/21/65fc3fefca4741d00a8b4590.html?fbclid=IwAR3tX9qnk68y7-Pyru7-Qp0-tA7r5tghVKFGswbSXLQE9h_IUqRucvX6X2Y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the midfielder said</a>.



<h2>Other teams to follow suit?</h2>



Equally intriguing is the prospect of additional players, both French and foreign, being granted permission to skip a significant portion of pre-season training.



Since the Olympics are quickly approaching, several clubs are watching their players’ involvement with suspicion. As the number of games played each week increases, more clubs may take a page out of Real Madrid’s playbook. Especially, since teams always seek ways to keep their players fresh and healthy.



Under Olympic regulations, every country may field a maximum of three athletes who are 23 years old or older. A few teams may actively push for their young talents to compete on a global stage. Senior players, who are already seeing first-team action at the domestic level, will have a tough choice to make.



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Real Madrid to veto Olympic games: What it means for Mbappe

As the summer international soccer competitions approach, Real Madrid will have to contend with Mbappe potentially playing in the Olympics.

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Real Madrid to veto Olympic games: What it means for Mbappe