Olympic Games Paris 2024: Kylian Mbappe Left Out of France's Preliminary Squad
Kylian Mbappe will not compete at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 after he was left out of Thierry Henry’s preliminary 25-man squad. Henry has named three Premier League players in his team, Chelsea’s Lesley Ugochukwu and Crystal Palace duo Jean-Philippe Mateta and Michael Olise. Mbappe previously said it would be living "a dream awake" to play at the tournament.
Kylian Mbappe has been omitted from Thierry Henry’s preliminary 25-man France squad for this summer's Olympic Games in Paris.
The 25-year-old had previously signalled his desire to compete at the Olympics but was not selected for the squad announced on Monday morning.
Speaking in a press conference looking ahead to France's friendly against Germany in March, Mbappe said: “I have always had the same ambition: the Olympics in Paris are special.
“I have always said that I wanted to be there, but that does not depend on me. My ambition hasn't changed. The decision still belongs to the same person. I can't say anything, I haven't been told yes or no.
"I have arrived at a point in my career where I take a step back: if I go there [to the Olympics], I will live a dream awake. And if I don't, I'll accept and do what I'm told."
Mbappe departed Paris Saint-Germain at the expiration of his contract, and his move to Real Madrid is expected to be announced imminently.
For now, the France captain will be focused on his side’s preparations for UEFA Euro 2024 and their forthcoming friendly against Luxembourg on Wednesday.
Didier Deschamps’s side begin their quest to win France a third European title against the Netherlands on June 21.
Meanwhile, Henry will focus on three group matches against the USA, Guinea and New Zealand.
Les Bleus face the US at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille on July 24, before playing Guinea in Nice three days later, ahead of their final group encounter against New Zealand back in Marseille on July 30.
Mbappe’s former PSG team-mates Warren Zaire-Emery and Bradley Barcola have been named in the squad, which also includes three Premier League players – Chelsea’s Lesley Ugochukwu and the Crystal Palace duo of Jean-Philippe Mateta and Michael Olise.
Maxime Esteve – who was relegated from the Premier League with Burnley last season – has also been included.
The full squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier (Lille), Guillaume Restes (Toulouse), Obed Nkambadio (Paris FC), Robin Risser (Dijon)
Defenders: Kiliann Sildillia (Fribourg), Bafode Diakite (Lille), Castello Lukeba (Leipzig), Maxime Esteve (Burnley), Lenny Yoro (Lille), Adrien Truffert (Rennes), Bradley Locko (Brest)
Midfielders: Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG), Khephren Thuram (Nice), Manu Kone (Gladbach), Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Enzo Millot (Stuttgart), Andy Diouf (Lens), Joris Chotard (Montpellier), Desire Doue (Rennes), Rayan Cherki (Lyon), Lesley Ugochukwu (Chelsea)
Forwards: Bradley Barcola (PSG), Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Matthys Tel (Bayern Munich), Michael Olise (Crystal Palace), Arnaud Kalimuendo (Rennes).
