France announce squad for March international break; Kylian Mbappe returns

The Les Bleus will face Croatia in the quarter-final.

Coach Didier Deschamps has named Kylian Mbappe in France’s recent squad after he was omitted from France’s last two international breaks for the October and November Nations League group stage.

The Real Madrid player was first excluded due to fitness issues, and then he was dropped amid reports concerning his personal life.

At the moment, Deschamps claimed that the commotion around Mbappe was “for the best” when he decided to omit the striker.

Since joining Real Madrid last year, Mbappe has been playing well for the team, scoring 28 goals across all competitions this season.

When asked about Mbappe’s continued role as captain, Deschamps responded: “I have chatted with him and I confirm what I already said a few weeks ago, that he will be the captain,” 

Conversely, the adaptable Desire Doue has received recognition for his outstanding club play after he was named in the squad. Since joining PSG as a regular in mid-December, the 19-year-old has made 23 appearances and scored or assisted on 17 goals.

In Tuesday’s Champions League last 16 second leg against Liverpool, Doue, who can play both in midfield and as a winger, came off the bench for PSG and scored the game-winning penalty kick.

Next Thursday, March 20, France will play Croatia away in in the first leg of the quarterfinal match, which is a rematch of Les Bleus’s victory in the 2018 World Cup final. On Sunday, March 23, the teams will play the second leg at the Stade de France.

France announces squad for Nations League quarter-final

Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier (Lille), Mike Maignan (AC Milan/ITA), Brice Samba (Rennes)

Defenders: Jonathan Clauss (Nice), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa/ENG), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan/ITA), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool/ENG), Jules Kounde (Barcelona/ESP), Benjamin Pavard (Inter Milan/ITA), William Saliba (Arsenal/ENG), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich/GER)

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid/ESP), Matteo Guendouzi (Lazio/ITA), Manu Kone (Roma/ITA), Adrien Rabiot (Marseille), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid/ESP), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)

Forwards: Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue (all Paris Saint-Germain), Randal Kolo Muani (Juventus/ITA, on loan from Paris Saint-Germain), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid/ESP), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich/GER), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan/ITA)

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