Was Kylian Mbappé at a nightclub in Stockholm during France’s Nations League win? | OneFootball

Kylian Mbappé’s (25) absence from the France squad for the current international break hasn’t been without controversy. However, Les Bleus’ captain may have just added more fuel to the fire, according to Swedish media Aftonbladet.

Mbappé’s absence is due to injury. The former Paris Saint-Germain forward was initially supposed to be absent until after the international break with a minor thigh injury. However, he returned to face Lille OSC in the UEFA Champions League on the eve of Didier Deschamps’ squad announcement.

However, despite returning, Mbappé did not feature in the squad. Deschamps, as well as FFF president Philippe Diallo, insist that the decision was taken after consultation with the forward and with the view to avoid provoking any injury given the hectic calendar. Mbappé’s start for Real Madrid against Villarreal just days later did not help matters, however, Deschamps and Diallo have stayed true to their argument, insisting that player welfare was at the centre of the decision.

Prior to Les Bleus’ 4-1 win over Israel on Thursday night, Mbappé took to social media, wishing his teammates a “good match”. However, Swedish media Aftonbladet have now revealed that Mbappé was in Stockholm during the match. Pictured wearing a mask, the France captain was at the restaurant Chez Jolie.

The media report that he was then dropped off by a taxi outside the nightclub ‘V’. Whilst this was a trip almost certainly sanctioned by his club, Real Madrid, the timing of it and the wider context have added fuel to the fire in what is already a highly controversial absence.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle