Julius OkorieKylian Mbappé has confirmed he will not play for France’s Olympic team at the Games, as his new club, Real Madrid, are against the idea.
The 25-year-old said in March that he was keen on playing at his home Games, but since the Olympic football tournament is not on FIFA’s calendar, clubs are not obliged to release their players.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelMbappé was not included in a 25-man preliminary squad for the Olympics earlier this month, though head coach, Thierry Henry, left the door open.
“My club’s position was very clear, so from that moment on, I think I [knew] I won’t be taking part in the Games,” Mbappé told reporters, ahead of Monday’s Group D match against Austria at Euro 2024.
“That’s just the way it is, and I understand that too. I’m joining a new team in September, so it’s not the best way to start an adventure.
“I’m going to wish this French team all the best. I’m going to watch every game. I hope they’ll win the gold medal.”
The men’s Olympic football competition begins on July 24, 10 days after the European Championships final, and ends on August 9.
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Meanwhile, 2022 World Cup finalists, France, begin their campaign in this year’s Euro today against Austria at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf.
Among France’s seven qualifying wins was a record 14-0 obliteration of Gibraltar, but even though Deschamps’s men were comfortable 3-0 victors over Luxembourg in their first friendly of the month, a drab goalless draw with Canada on June 9 was hardly the ideal send-off.
However, not since Euro 2012 have Les Bleus been defeated in a group-stage affair, and they had Austria’s number during the most recent Nations League cycle, being held to a 1-1 draw in June 2022 before a straightforward 2-0 Stade de France success a few months down the line.
Austria have never progressed past the round of 16 at the continental championships, while Les Bleus have two titles to their name but have some wrongs to right from three years ago.
Ralf Rangnick in spite of his ill-fated spell in the Manchester United hot seat has been well and truly working his magic with Austria, who arrive in their neighbouring nation as one of the most in-form teams on the continent.
Finishing just one point adrift of Belgium in their qualifying section, having posted six wins from a possible eight while dropping just five points along the way, Euros appearance number four is now on the menu for Austria, whose 2008 and 2016 campaigns ended prematurely with no wins under their belts.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
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