Kylian Mbappe has been left out of the France squad for the UEFA Nations League matches against Israel and Italy.
Didier Deschamps left out the Real Madrid superstar from his list of players announced on Thursday.
It is the second successive France squad from which the national team captain has been absent after he also missed the October double-game against Israel and Belgium.
The 25-year-old was rested for last month’s matches in order to help him recover from a minor thigh injury suffered playing for Real.
However, that quickly became a source of controversy when he returned to action for Madrid days later, before France had even played.
Mbappe was absent for France’s 4-1 win over Israel in Budapest and a 2-1 win in Belgium, and instead travelled to Stockholm for a short break with members of his entourage.
It was following that trip that Swedish media reported he was being investigated for an alleged rape. Mbappe himself said those reports were “fake news” while his lawyer said the player would take action for libel.
A Swedish prosecutor confirmed that an investigation had been opened, without naming Mbappe.
The reason for Mbappe’s exclusion has not been stated by Deschamps as he attempts to discover his best form for Real Madrid.
The former PSG forward has not enjoyed his best form for Real Madrid as he struggles to gel with his attacking teammates.
Mbappe Left Out Of France Squad For Second Consecutive Game is first published on The Whistler Newspaper