Kylian Mbappé was left out of France’s provisional squad for the Paris Olympics on Monday before his move to Real Madrid was finally confirmed.
Coach Thierry Henry did not completely rule the World Cup winner out of the Games, saying there was still time to change his final selection.
“I didn’t draw a line in the hope that something would happen,” Henry told a news conference. “We don’t know what’s going to happen until July 3, but I have to give you a list that’s real. I’ve put together a list that is more in the truth of the moment. Even though the list can evolve. Everything is open to everybody.”
Mbappe, who has joined Champions League winner Madrid after leaving Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent, had stated his desire to play in his home Olympics. But his name was the most notable omission from Henry’s initial 25-man squad.
PSG's Warren Zaire-Emery and Bradley Barcola were included, as well as veteran striker Alexandre Lacazette.
Unlike most international tournaments like the World Cup, European Championship and Copa America, clubs are not required to let their players compete at men’s Olympic tournaments.
With Mbappé set to captain France at the Euros, his involvement at the Paris Games would have meant he was unlikely to get a break during the offseason.
Still, he said in March that he wanted to be involved: “I have always had the same ambition. I have always said that I wanted to go, but it doesn’t depend on me.”
Even France President Emmanuel Macron had called for Mbappé to be part of the men’s Olympic team.
Macron said last month that he was “counting upon Real Madrid to free up Kylian for the Olympic Games,” despite his widely anticipated move to the Spanish giant still not confirmed.
Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta and Michael Olise have both been included.