The ‘punishment’ from Didier Deschamps against Kylian Mbappé is over. After not being called up for the FIFA dates in October and November, the French coach has kept his word and called up Kylian Mbappé again for the double-header against Croatia in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Nations League.

What was Mbappé's last match with France?

After a Euro away from his best form, largely due to the injury he sustained from a blow that fractured his nose in the first match against Austria by Danso, Didier Deschamps decided to give Kylian Mbappé a wake-up call and didn’t call him up again with France since the victory over Belgium in the second round of the Nations League. That day, moreover, Mbappé was a substitute.

According to various media reports in France, Mbappé himself was the one who asked Deschamps not to go with France to the October FIFA date after a difficult start at Real Madrid. However, his absence against Israel and Italy in November was Deschamps's decision. “I spoke with Kylian and made a decision. It’s better this way,” said the coach.

Mbappé will be captain on his return with France

Having overcome this small conflict, Deschamps already announced in L’Equipe last February that Kylian Mbappé would return to the French national team for the March FIFA date… and he has kept his word. He also confirmed that Mbappé will return as captain: “I spoke with him and told him he will be captain. But it’s not my style to detail the content of conversations.”

After six months away, it’s clear that Kylian Mbappé will return eager to help France achieve qualification to the semifinals of the Nations League against Croatia. He is the first to acknowledge that he wasn’t up to par during the Euro and needs to make a comeback. He was excited to return with France, and he celebrated it on Instagram.