Kylian Mbappé has not been named in France head coach Thierry Henry’s preliminary 25-man squad for the Olympic Games in Paris this summer.
The 25-year-old, who is widely expected to join Real Madrid following the expiry of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain, said on March 22 that he was hopeful of taking part in the Games.
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Henry suggested in a news conference on Monday that Mbappé had not been allowed to play in his home Olympics by his club.
“Real Madrid were really straightforward about the Olympics,” Henry said.
“The last time I received so many rejections was at the university. There have not even been negotiations. You go, you ask, they say no and you leave.”
Henry was able to include Crystal Palace duo Michael Olise and Jean-Philippe Mateta in his list of players, while Bayern Munich‘s Mathys Tel and PSG’s 18-year-old midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery were also named in a strong-looking squad.
Khéphren Thuram, the son of former France international Lilian, and brother of Inter Milan forward Marcus, also featured.
The Arsenal legend also included Alexandre Lacazette — who spent five years at the north London club — and highly rated Lille defender Leny Yoro in the list that will be whittled down to a total of 18 in time for the tournament.
Competition rules state that each team must be made up entirely of players born on or after Jan. 1, 2001 (aged 23 at the time of the Games) However, three players born before that date can also be included.
France’s preliminary 25-man squad for the Olympic Games:
Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier, Obed Nkambadio, Guillaume Restes, Robin Risser
Defenders: Bafodé Diakité, Maxime Estève, Bradley Locko, Castello Lukeba, Kiliann Sildillia, Adrien Truffert, Leny Yoro
Midfielders: Maghnes Akliouche, Joris Chotard, Desiré Doué, Manu Koné, Enzo Millot, Khéphren Thuram, Lesley Ugochukwu, Warren Zaïre-Emery
Attackers: Bradley Barcola, Arnaud Kalimuendo, Alexandre Lacazette, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Michael Olise, Mathys Tel
