Kylian Mbappe made it clear on Sunday that he won’t be donning the French jersey for the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024. The reason? Well, it’s all about his new club, Real Madrid. Fresh off his move from Paris Saint-Germain, the club wants him fully focused on settling in and gearing up for the new season, which kicks off in September.
“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 said.
Why will Kylian Mbappe not take part in Paris Olympics 2024
Starting with Madrid in the midst of the Olympics and then heading straight into the UEFA Super Cup in mid-August doesn’t leave much room for Olympic dreams. The men’s Olympics football tournament begins on July 24, with the final on August 9.
“Joining a new team in September would not be the best way to begin my adventure,” admitted Mbappe, who had previously stated a wish to be able to play for Thierry Henry’s French Olympic team.
Mbappe shared his decision ahead of France’s Euro 2024 kickoff against Austria. Despite his earlier hopes of representing France at the Olympics, he’s opting to support his compatriots from the sidelines instead of chasing Olympic glory himself. He expressed his best wishes for the French squad, hoping they bring home the gold.
“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.”
In a similar vein, Lionel Messi also announced this week that he won’t be joining the Olympics, passing up the chance to vie for a second gold medal with Argentina.
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