France is preparing to host the Olympics this summer, but Spain's Real Madrid is expected to refuse permission to release its players, dealing a major blow to France's hopes of winning a soccer gold medal, according to French newspaper L'Equipe. Reported.
It's a huge setback for coach Thierry Henry, considering the number of players he could have hoped to feature in his team from the LaLiga leaders. These include midfielders Aurelien Choameny and Eduardo Camavinga, and defender Ferland Mendy.
In addition, the same rules seem to apply to France's national hero, as speculation continues to link Kylian Mbappé to a move to Real Madrid this summer.
Therefore, France may be without several key players this summer. Olympic athletes must be 23 or younger or be one of three “wild card” candidates. Le Monde had speculated that Mbappé could feature as a wildcard, along with another Spanish soccer star, Atlético Madrid's Antoine Griezmann.
Olympic soccer team complications
The realities of Olympic soccer mean that clubs are not obliged by FIFA to release players to the tournament, as is the case with World Cups and regional tournaments.
There is also the added complication of the UEFA European Championship and the Olympics being held at the same time. The Euros conclude with the final in Germany on July 14, leaving just 10 days until the Olympic soccer competition begins.
After the Olympics conclude, the men's gold medal match will be held on August 9th, and the season has already begun in many European leagues. In the case of Real Madrid, last season started on August 11, but the kick-off date for the Spanish competition has not yet been confirmed.
At a press conference on Thursday, manager Henry reflected on the reality of team selection, saying, “I'm not sure. I'm at the mercy of the yes or no decision from the club.'' “And even if they agree and change coaches in the meantime, who's to say I'll still take over for him?”
French first-team manager Didier Deschamps reflected on the challenge of playing in so many different competitions in such close proximity this week: “It's mentally and physically challenging to play two tournaments like this back-to-back in the summer.'' “It's extremely difficult,” he says, “without any days off.” ”
Mbappe's uncertain future
Now approaching the final three months of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain, France captain Kylian Mbappé is almost certain to leave his home country for the first time in his career.
He scored 46 goals in 75 appearances for his country, winning the World Cup in the process, and remains a leading figure in the sport in what was supposed to be a breakthrough moment this summer. .
“I always had the Olympic torch,” Mbappe said in an interview. special envoy on french tv channel france 2, reported Olympic.com. “The Olympics are the world's biggest sporting event along with the FIFA World Cup. Paris Games 100 years from now [the last time they were held in the city]…means the world to me. The idea of competing with France at the Olympics would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. In fact, it's more of a dream than an opportunity. ”
“I heard Kylian Mbappé say that the Olympics are the holy grail of sports. That says it all,” replied International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.
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