Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News
The France Olympic Soccer Team, with Thierry Henry as its head coach, will not feature Kylian Mbappe in its squad. The French superstar was among the candidates to be one of Henry’s players over the age of 23. Each team at the Pairs 2024 Olympics can name three players above that age, with the rest coming from the youth ranks of the nation.
Thierry Henry, who is the head coach of France’s U-21 team, wanted to include Mbappe in the Olympic squad. However, speaking about his selection, Henry said Mbappe’s inclusion was never a feasible possibility. With Real Madrid needing to approve of Mbappe’s association with the Olympic team, Henry said the club would not negotiate in the slightest.
“Real Madrid were really straightforward about the Olympics,” Henry said. “The last time I received so many rejections was at the university. There have not even been negotiations. You go, you ask, they say no and you leave.”
Mbappe would have been unquestionably the best player at the Olympics, and as the host nation, there was plenty of incentive for Mbappe to join the squad. However, he is also playing in the European Championship this summer. Real Madrid, which is ready to welcome its next Galactico, does not want to risk its star playing more games than necessary. Therefore, it is the Spanish side who shot down the possibility of Mbappe competing.
Without Mbappe, France is still the favorite with a talented Olympic squad
With Mbappe out of the question, Thierry Henry had ample options for his 25-man provisional squad. By the tournament, Henry will shave this team down to 18 players. Regardless, he named several strong players with considerable experience given their age.
For example, the crop of forwards is particularly potent. Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise is a name that is linked to several top clubs for a summer transfer. His south London teammate Jean-Phillipe Mateta had a blazing finish to his campaign under Oliver Glasner with 12…
Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/thierry-henry-fails-to-name-mbappe-to-france-olympic-squad/
Author : Kyle Fansler
Publish date : 2024-06-03 16:33:31
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
