Kylian Mbappe Returns to France Squad as Captain for Nations League

Captain Kylian Mbappe has been included in the France squad announced on Thursday for the upcoming UEFA Nations League quarter-final against Croatia. This comes after the 26-year-old was omitted from the last two France squads by coach Didier Deschamps in October and November. Paris Saint-Germain teenager Desire Doue has also received his first call-up to the squad. Mbappe was initially left out of the squad due to fitness concerns, before being dropped amidst speculation about his personal life. Deschamps had stated that leaving Mbappe out was necessary given the distractions surrounding the player. Now, with Mbappe back in the squad, France will be looking to secure a victory against Croatia in the UEFA Nations League quarter-final.

Mbappe has been in fine form for Real in the months since and has scored 28 goals in all competitions this season for the club he joined last year.

"I have chatted with him and I confirm what I already said a few weeks ago, that he will be the captain," Deschamps said in response to questions about Mbappe's ongoing role as skipper.

The versatile Doue, meanwhile, has been rewarded for his impressive club form.

The 19-year-old has scored or set up a total of 17 goals in 23 appearances since becoming a regular in the PSG side in mid-December.

Capable of playing as a winger as well as in midfield, Doue was outstanding after coming off the bench for PSG in Tuesday's Champions League last 16, second leg against Liverpool, and scored the winning kick in the penalty shoot-out.

Signed by PSG from Rennes for a reported 50 million euros ($54.1m) in August, Doue was part of Thierry Henry's France Under-23 team that won the silver medal at the Paris Olympics last year.

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"He is not always a starter for his club but whenever he plays or comes on he has made a lot of progress," Deschamps said.

"He is a very young player but he is an interesting one for us. I could have waited but I have called him up now because I think it is the right time."

France face Croatia away in Split in the first leg of the quarter-final next Thursday, March 20, in a tie that is a repeat of the 2018 World Cup final won by Les Bleus.

The sides will clash in the second leg at the Stade de France on Sunday, March 23.

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The winners will advance to the final four, which will take place in either Italy or Germany in June.

N'Golo Kante is the most notable absentee from the squad, with Deschamps revealing that the Saudi Arabia-based midfielder has been nursing a minor muscle injury.

SQUAD

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)

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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)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)