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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>World Cup winner searching for spark in Spain</li><li>Left out of successive squads by Deschamps</li><li>Talk of rift leading to international retirement</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

‘Like if Argentina turned on Lionel Messi’ – Kylian Mbappe international retirement threat addressed amid ‘strange’ goings on in France squad that see Real Madrid superstar snubbed

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<p>While World Cup winner Mbappe has not been performing at the peak of his powers since <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/galactico-levels-kylian-mbappe-doesnt-reach-karim-benzema-ankle-france-questioned-injury-pressure-real-madrid/blt31b240dd12c33362" target="_blank">becoming another ‘Galactico’ at Real Madrid</a>, with the odd knock being nursed along the way, he was expected to remain a talismanic presence for his country – with the captain’s armband being passed in his direction.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Didier Deschamps has, however, taken to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/kylian-mbappe-battling-physical-psychological-struggles-real-madrid-slump-france-dispute/bltbee90b771536ff53" target="_blank">leaving the superstar forward out of back-to-back squads</a>. Questions are now being asked of a working relationship there, with <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/did-kylian-mbappe-want-france-call-up-snub-fff-president-explains-absence-real-madrid-galactico-what-happens-next/bltb2c18916e9ce1750" target="_blank">Mbappe seemingly cutting a frustrated figure</a>. There have even been suggestions that he could head into international retirement at just 25 years of age.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Former France star Saha - speaking to <em>BoyleSports</em>, who offer the latest <a href="https://www.boylesports.com/sports/football/competition/england-premier-league " target="_blank">Premier League odds</a> – has said of the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/why-kylian-mbappe-not-playing-france-didier-deschamps-dispute-threatens-world-cup-preparations/blt43ae53a327a27bb1" target="_blank">mess that Les Bleus are creating</a>: “Things are very strange between Kylian Mbappe and the France national team, he has fought with the federation in the past and has been like a politician at times. What is happening between them is really sad, it’s like if Argentina turned on Lionel Messi. Mbappe has an issue with Didier Deschamps but it isn’t a bad thing for him to take a rest, the issue will come if he decides to step back from the national team going forward.”</p>

WHAT SAHA SAID

<p>Saha went on to say of the Blancos star potentially quitting international football: “If Kylian Mbappe steps away from the national team it will be a disaster. That’s how bad the situation is. At some point he does need to take some responsibility and realise that he isn’t playing the way he can and isn’t scoring the amount of goals he can. It’s now up to him to prove people wrong and prove he is the player Real Madrid signed. It’s all down to him now but it will take time because the task is enormous.”</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Mbappe has scored <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/not-good-as-9-vinicius-junior-the-best-karim-benzema-tells-kylian-mbappe-forget-important-real-madrid-advice/blt946cdc1437d2b050" target="_blank">eight goals through 16 appearances for Real this season</a>, but has only one in his last seven games. He is up to 48 efforts for his country, from 86 caps, but it remains to be seen if he will get the chance to edge ever closer to Olivier Giroud (57 goals) at the top of France’s all-time list.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

‘Like if Argentina turned on Lionel Messi’ – Kylian Mbappe international retirement threat addressed amid ‘strange’ goings on in France squad that see Real Madrid superstar snubbed | Goal.com Nigeria

The “strange” saga surrounding Kylian Mbappe and the France squad is, according to Louis Saha, “like if Argentina turned on Lionel Messi”.