French football journalist Daniel Riolo has asserted that Didier Deschamps, the coach of France’s national football team, made the decision to drop Kylian Mbappe from the squad as a form of punishment.

Since making his debut for France in March 2017, Mbappe has been a key figure in the team, appearing in 86 matches, scoring 48 goals, and providing 35 assists. His remarkable contributions played a crucial role in France’s victory at the 2018 World Cup, and he helped lead the team to the final once again in 2022.

However, despite his stellar record and his role as captain, Mbappe’s presence in recent squad selections has been less frequent. He was notably absent from the France squad for the October fixtures, and although many expected him to be called up for the November games, Deschamps chose not to include him.

Following his decision, Deschamps explained that Mbappe’s exclusion was a “one-off” and had nothing to do with the serious accusations of rape that Mbappe faced in Sweden. Nonetheless, Riolo has a different interpretation, suggesting that the decision was more than just a tactical one and calling it a “punishment.”

In an interview with Tribal Football, Riolo stated, “It’s a punishment, it’s a sanction! He doesn’t say it because he doesn’t want to make it clear and risk damaging the relationship too much.” He continued, “We were all certain that Mbappe would be included in the squad, but his absence has surprised many, especially as there was no indication from his camp that anything was wrong. As for Deschamps, I believe his decision is justified, and I think it’s the right thing to do for now.”