French coach Didier Deschamps and Aurélien Tchouaméni stated on Wednesday that Real Madrid did not pressure them to exclude Kylian Mbappé from this round of international matches.

"There was no request. The decision is mine," Deschamps assured during the press conference prior to France's match against Israel in Budapest, within the Nations League group stage.

The French coach emphasized that he decided not to call up Mbappé "with the information available" at that time and noted that the forward played part of the league match last Saturday against Villarreal "without being at one hundred percent."

"Is that good for the player and for the French team? I don't think so," added Deschamps, who emphasized that "it's not the federations who pay the players."

Messi’s Return to Argentina National in Jeopardy

In any case, Didier Deschamps clarified that "it's not just the case of Real Madrid and Kylian."

The controversy also reached the press conference of the player who will wear the captain's armband this Thursday, fellow Real Madrid player Aurélien Tchouaméni, who completely ruled out any pressure from Real Madrid.

"I've talked about it with Kylian and with Ferland (Mendy), and it never happened. There are physical issues; that's the case with Kylian. There is no type of pressure from the club," he insisted.

Tchouaméni acknowledged that he spoke with Mbappé on Tuesday night. "But we didn't talk much about the captaincy; we talked about other things," he said. The Real Madrid midfielder will be the French captain this Thursday, and the announcement has surprised some in France.

Deschamps explained that he chose the Madrid team midfielder because he believes "he has the profile to take on this responsibility due to his experience, even though he is still young," as he is 24 years old.

The coach recalled that 'Aurel' played with France in the last World Cup and the recent European Championship. He has a total of 36 matches as a full international with three goals.

Thursday's match will be surrounded by extensive security measures due to the situation in the Middle East, and Deschamps requested that it be limited to "a football match."

"We have to ensure it remains a football match because that’s what it is. There is a context that is obviously very tense, but unfortunately, it is a reality," he stressed.