Kylian Mbappe: Aurelien Tchouameni, Didier Deschamps defend ...

Aurelien Tchouameni says Kylian Mbappe’s “love for the French team does not need to be proven” after the Real Madrid forward was seen in a Swedish nightclub while the national side were playing a UEFA Nations League match against Israel in Hungary.

The Ballon d’Or nominee was not included in Didier Deschamps’ most recent squad, having only just returned from injury for his club.

Tchouameni, who is captaining France in the striker’s absence, says it is a fuss about nothing.

"Honestly, I think that this is too much,” Tchouameni told a press conference ahead of Monday night’s match with Belgium, when asked about his club and France team-mate Mbappe.

“Everybody is free to think what they want, but we know that every time something is about Kylian it goes out of proportions. This is not a topic for us. 

“Those close to him got to speak with him before and after the game (against Israel), he watched the game, and the location from where he watched it does not really matter to us. 

“As I have said many times, Kylian's love for the French team does not need to be proven, he is always here for the guys, he sent us many messages to enquire how we are doing, and we are just impatient for him to come back with us, that is all."

Reports in France suggest Mbappe is monitoring his workload, having only recently returned from a thigh issue for Real Madrid. But some have taken issue with the 25-year-old travelling to Sweden instead of continuing his recuperation in Spain.

"Everyone will have their own perception (on Mbappe). Perhaps Aurelien (Tchouameni) is aware of his (Mbappe) club's program and if he is free to do what he wants,” said France boss Deschamps.

“That doesn't mean that he didn't watch the game or didn't send a message, even to me too. So if it bothers some people, if he was where he was, it is because there was no obligation from his club. 

“I don't want to defend him just for the sake of defending him, but it is his private life. The thing is that for him, there is no such thing as a private life, because everybody knows where he is.”

France sit second in League A Group 2 in the Nations League behind Italy, who beat Deschamps’ side 3-1 last month, while Belgium are two points behind. 

With fixture congestion a big topic among footballers at the moment ahead of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup next summer, Tchouameni was asked where the UEFA Nations League ranks in his list of priorities.

"Let's be honest, this is not the competition of the century, and this is no secret,” he said.

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“But this is a competition, and as professional football players we must do everything to win once we put our jerseys on, being it for the French team or our club, we are also competitors, Nations League or no Nations League. 

“For those who won it, like me, I am happy to add this trophy to my trophy list. It is obviously not like a World Cup or the Euros, but if there is a possibility to win it, we will do everything to do so."

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