Kylian Mbappe has seen his 2024 Olympic Games dream dashed, with the Real Madrid-bound superstar left out of Thierry Henry’s squad.
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Hosts hoped to select World Cup winnerMove to Spain scuppering those plansPlenty of experience in gold medal bidWHAT HAPPENED?
Arsenal legend Henry, who is now in charge of France’s U21 side, has pieced together preliminary plans for a shot at gold medal glory in Paris. The hosts had been hoping to have World Cup winner Mbappe in their ranks, with President Emmanuel Macron leading calls for the 25-year-old forward to be involved.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Mbappe is a Paris native and has spent the last seven years on the books of Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain. He is, however, departing Parc des Princes as a free agent and will soon link up with La Liga's title holders in Madrid. It is Real that are said to be blocking Mbappe from figuring at the Olympics.
DID YOU KNOW?
Teen sensation Warren Zaire-Emery is the only player to have been named in France’s plans for Euro 2024 who is also included on Henry’s list. He has selected Lyon frontman Alexandre Lacazette and Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta as overage forwards, while Eagles playmaker Michael Olise also gets the nod.
Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier, Obed Nkambadio, Guillaume Restes, Robin Risser
Defenders: Bafode Diakite, Mazime Esteve, Bradley Locko, Castello Lukeba, Kiliann Sildillia, Adrien Truffert, Leny Yoro
Midfielders: Maghnes Akliouche, Joris Chotard, Desire Doue, Manu Kone, Enzo Millot, Khephran Thuram, Lesley Ugochukwu, Warren Zaire-Emery
Forwards: Bradley Barcola, Arnaud Kalimuendo, Alexandre Lacazette, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Michael Olise, Mathys Tel
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?
France are in Group A at the 2024 Olympic Games, and will open the competition in Marseille on July 24 against the United States. They will go on to face Guinea in Nice and New Zealand back at Stade Velodrome before hopefully marching on into the quarter-finals.