Kylian Mbappe (foto: Getty Images)
Kylian Mbappe has expressed his joy at reuniting with his France teammates as he prepares to play his first international match in six months.
The Les Bleus captain is set to feature in the Nations League quarter-final against Croatia on Thursday.
“I feel good, I feel happy to be playing football, I feel happy to be here,” Mbappe said at a press conference in Split.
The 26-year-old missed France’s October matches due to injury and was rested by Didier Deschamps in November, as he was adjusting to his move to Real Madrid. Now, he’s eager to contribute again.
“Most of the teammates who are here, we talk all the time. I go on holiday with some of them. It's always a pleasure to be here. The situation may have seemed unclear from the outside, but internally, it has always been clear,” he added.
Mbappe's adjustment to Real Madrid
Since making his highly anticipated move to Real Madrid last summer, Mbappe has openly admitted that he struggled to find top form at times. Off the pitch, he also found himself briefly linked to a legal case in Sweden, though the investigation was closed in December with no charges filed.
Reflecting on the end of 2024, Mbappe admitted he had some challenges.
“A career is not linear. You have to refocus on what makes you happy and get back to work. If I had to do things differently? I would have played better,” he said.
France will take on Croatia in Split on Thursday before hosting the second leg at Stade de France in three days.