France's World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe will not be part of their Paris Olympics squad. Thierry Henry left him out of the provisional squad for the Games on June 3.
Mbappe is expected to join 15-time Champions League title-winners Real Madrid after leaving Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent. Mbappe's selection was a no-brainer for the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024.
Henry and French President Emmanuel Macron wanted him to play at the Games. PSG's Warren Zaire-Emery and Bradley Barcola along with veteran striker Alexandre Lacazette have been included in the 25-man squad. Crystal Palace's Jean-Philipee Mateta and Michael Olise have found a place in the squad as well.
Mbappe is set to play at the Euros for France. Had he agreed to play in the Paris Games, he wouldn't have got a break during the off-season. Unlike World Cup, European Championship and Copa America, clubs can chose to not allow their players to play in Olympic Games.
“I have always had the same ambition. I have always said that I wanted to go, but it doesn't depend on me.” Macron said in May 2024 that he was “counting upon Real Madrid to free up Kylian for the Olympic Games,” even though the deal is yet to be inked.
France have been included in the Group A alongside United States, Guinea and New Zealand. They will play their campaign opener against United States on July 24.
France squad for Paris Olympics 2024
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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