France captain Kylian Mbappe’s return to the national team ended in disappointment as Croatia secured a surprising 2-0 victory in their UEFA Nations League quarter-final first leg on Thursday

Speaking in a press conference ahead of Madrid’s Champions League clash with RB Salzburg on January 21, Mbappé discussed the challenging start to his career in Madrid after his high-profile move from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the summer of 2024

Mbappe scored twice, leading Real Madrid to a 4-1 win and propelling them to the top of La Liga. The victory saw them move two points ahead of Atletico Madrid, who lost to Leganes, and Barcelona, who drew at Getafe

In an interview with Canal + on Sunday evening, Mbappé addressed the ongoing speculation about his absence from the national squad, emphasizing his respect for coach Didier Deschamps’ decisions and his continued passion for the French team

Prosecutor Marina Chirakova announced Thursday that the case involving an alleged October 10 incident at a Stockholm hotel was closed due to insufficient evidence, stating, "The evidence is not sufficient to proceed, and the investigation is therefore closed"

Kylian Mbappé has been essential to France, earning 86 caps and scoring 48 goals. He played a key role in their 2018 World Cup victory and scored a hat-trick in the 2022 final, despite a loss to Argentina

Journalist Laurent Perrin from Le Parisien doubts a reunion between Kylian Mbappé and PSG, noting that neither the club nor its fans miss him. Mbappé, who signed with Real Madrid through 2029, has had a difficult start to the season

While the French league’s legal commission previously ruled in Mbappé’s favor, PSG maintained it did not owe the player money and filed an appeal. The appeal, heard on October 15, upheld the original decision

France defeated Italy 3-1 in their Nations League match at San Siro on Monday, with Adrien Rabiot scoring twice. An own goal from Italy’s goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario added to the hosts' difficulties in the absence of Kylian Mbappé

Deschamps has offered little explanation for Mbappé’s omission, but speculation suggests it’s part of a broader strategy to manage key players' workloads. The French coach aims to maintain peak fitness for major tournaments by making selective roster decisions

The survey, which questioned 1,005 individuals aged 18 and older, along with 434 amateur footballers, reveals a changing sentiment towards the 25-year-old forward and captain of the French national team

The dispute has led to a formal referral of the case to the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) legal committee, with both parties meeting for a two-hour hearing on Wednesday. The LFP has suggested mediation as a possible resolution, but this proposal has met resistance from Mbappé’s representatives

Mbappe, despite his undeniable talent, has not been immune to the team's struggles. His only goal this season came during the UEFA Super Cup—far from the desired impact in La Liga, where he is yet to score

The unpaid amount reportedly includes the final installment of a signing bonus worth €36 million gross, which was due in February, as well as his wages for the final three months of his contract—April, May, and June