Mbappe faces fresh challenge as France camp exposes growing isolation

A report published on Tuesday says Kylian Mbappe is feeling increasingly isolated within the France squad as he prepares for two Nations League matches against Italy and Turkey.

France’s training camp began ahead of the game against Italy on 12 November and the home fixture with Turkey on 15 November, with close attention on Mbappe’s form and his influence as captain.

With Ousmane Dembele absent, new France manager Zinedine Zidane is expected to deploy Mbappe as a central striker rather than on the left wing. A similar plan during the previous international break lasted less than an hour after Mbappe suffered a knee injury in September during France’s opening match in Turkey.

The Real Madrid forward will also be spared the tension that has affected relations between players from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in recent weeks, particularly in connection with the Ballon d’Or.

According to French newspaper L’Equipe, Dembele did not respond to a WhatsApp message from Mbappe, who had tried to ease the situation. The decision reportedly left France’s captain unable to understand his team-mate’s reaction.

Mbappe’s changing position in the squad

Although Mbappe’s involvement in the September camp was brief because he returned to Real Madrid early, L’Equipe says the episode still had an impact on the France dressing room.

The report describes Mbappe as more isolated than before. During the World Cup, he was regularly surrounded by a close group that included Dembele, Marcus Thuram, Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola.

His disagreement with Dembele, a player known for his light-hearted character, has left its mark. Mbappe may have underestimated the effect of the dispute, while his efforts to repair the relationship have not always been handled in the best way, the report says.

L’Equipe has also written on several occasions that France’s number 10 showed interest in certain team-mates and members of the coaching staff. That behaviour was viewed as unusual and interpreted as opportunistic.

The absence of Thuram is another setback for Mbappe. The Inter Milan forward has a close relationship with him and has often helped bridge gaps within the group.

Mbappe must now establish his place in a squad that is constantly changing. As captain, and as a figure who can divide opinion, he knows that his leadership is based largely on what he produces on the pitch.

He has previously shown that he can unite the team, including during France’s time in the United States. The report says he must now find a way to do so again.