Kylian Mbappe was left out of France’s provisional squad for the Paris Olympics on Monday, although coach Thierry Henry said the list “may evolve”.
The World Cup winner, who is expected to join Real Madrid after leaving Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent, has stated his desire to play at the Games in his home country but was not included in Henry’s initial 25-man squad.
“I didn’t set a limit in hopes that something would happen,” Henry said at a news conference. “We don’t know what will happen until July 3, but I have to give a list that is real. I created a list that is more accurate at the moment. It’s open to everyone.”
PSG’s Warren Zaire-Emery and Bradley Barcola were included, as was veteran striker Alexandre Lacazette.
Unlike most international tournaments such as the World Cup, European Championships and Copa América, clubs are not obliged to allow their players to compete in men’s Olympic tournaments.
With Mbappé set to play in the Euros for France, his involvement in the Paris Games would mean he would be unlikely to have time off during the off-season.
Still, he said in March that he wanted to be involved: “I’ve always had the same ambition. I always said I wanted to go, but it’s not up to me.”
Even French President Emmanuel Macron called for Mbappé to be part of the men’s Olympic team.
Macron said last month that he was “counting on Real Madrid to release Kylian for the Olympic Games”, although his long-awaited move to the Spanish giants has not yet been confirmed.
Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta and Michael Olise were included.
French team:
Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier (Lille), Obed Nkambadio (Paris FC), Guillaume Restes (Toulouse), Robin Risser (Dijon)
Defenders: Bafode Diakite (Lille), Maxime Esteve (Burnley), Bradley Locko (Brest), Castello Lukeba (Leipzig), Kiliann Sildillia (Freiburg), Adrien Truffert (Rennes), Leny Yoro (Lille)
Midfielders: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Joris Chotard (Montpellier), Desire Doue (Rennes), Manu Kone (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Enzo Millot (Stuttgart), Khephren Thuram (Nice), Lesley Ugochukwu (Chelsea), Warren Zaire- Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)
Forwards: Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain), Arnaud Kalimuendo (Rennes), Alexandra Lacazette (Lyon), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Michael Olise (Crystal Palace), Mathys Tel (Bayern Munich)
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James Robson is in https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson
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