In a significant announcement, France captain Kylian Mbappe confirmed on Sunday that he will not represent his country at the upcoming Paris Olympics. This decision comes following his recent move to Real Madrid.
Key Highlights:
- Kylian Mbappe has ruled out participating in the Paris 2024 Olympics due to his commitment to Real Madrid.
- Mbappe recently signed for Real Madrid, leaving Paris Saint-Germain.
- The men’s Olympic football tournament starts on July 24 and ends on August 9.
- The Spanish football season begins a week after the Olympics, with Real Madrid playing Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup on August 14.
- Lionel Messi has also confirmed he will not participate in the Olympics with Argentina.
“For the Olympics, my club has a position which is very clear so that means I think I will not participate in the Olympics. That is how it is,” Mbappe stated. The 25-year-old made this announcement ahead of France’s opening Euro 2024 game against Austria on Monday.
Mbappe, who has just signed for Real Madrid after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, will join the European champions for the new season. The men’s Olympics football tournament is scheduled to begin on July 24, with the final on August 9. The Spanish season will start a week later, and Madrid is set to play Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup in Warsaw on August 14.
“Joining a new team in September would not be the best way to begin my adventure,” Mbappe explained, acknowledging that although he had expressed a desire to play for Thierry Henry’s French Olympic team, his commitment to Real Madrid takes precedence.
“I wish the best to the France team. I will of course watch all their games as a spectator rather than an actor, and I hope they bring back the gold medal,” Mbappe added.
In related news, Lionel Messi also confirmed this week that he would not be participating in the Olympics, declining the opportunity to win a gold medal with Argentina for the second time.
