French soccer faces a turbulent period as Kylian Mbappe, one of its brightest stars, grapples with both personal and professional challenges following his high-profile summer transfer to Real Madrid.

Not naming Kylian Mbappé (25) in the French national team for the final two UEFA Nations League group fixtures was not a “sanction.”Those words came from France manager Didier Deschamps, who

Even when he is not there for France, the focus remains on Kylian Mbappé. On the eve of a high-risk Nations League match against Israel, France coach Didier Deschamps was asked Wednesday if he had spoken with Mbappé about his decision to leave the Real Madrid forward out of his squad.