France is standing by Kylian Mbappé after his recent omission from the national team squad. In the first press conference for Les Bleus before their Nations League matches against Israel and Italy, Dayot Upamecano took a firm stance in support of the Real Madrid forward.

“There’s no concern, but we can’t forget what Kylian has done for this team, and we feel there’s a lack of support for him. Let’s not forget he’s our captain, and I hope he’ll be back with us soon,” said the Bayern Munich defender, emphasizing Mbappé’s importance to the group.

When asked if Mbappé’s absence could be due to physical or mental fatigue, Upamecano expressed understanding for his teammate’s situation. “There are many games, and I mentioned this at the start of the season. We’re human, and mental well-being is a big factor for us. I won’t go into details, but as I said, he’s our captain, and I hope he’ll be back with us soon. He’s very important to us.”

Upamecano, who sees Mbappé as both a friend and a “super player,” added that he looks forward to his teammate’s return and expects him to wear the captain’s armband when he does. His comments made it clear that the squad fully trusts their captain and values his leadership and influence on the team.