Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé, who is just recovering from an injury, has not been included in coach Didier Deschamps’ squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches, marking the first call-up since Antoine Griezmann’s international retirement.

Having missed the derby against Atlético de Madrid, Mbappé played a few minutes last night in the Champions League match against Lille but does not seem fully fit for the matches against Israel (October 10) and Belgium (October 14).

“Kylian doesn’t have anything serious, but there are uncertainties, and I don’t want to take any risks,” the coach stated during the squad announcement.

With his absence and Griezmann’s retirement, Deschamps emphasized that “opportunities are opening up for new leadership to emerge.”