Kylian Mbappe has been excluded from France’s initial squad for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris by Thierry Henry.
In a fiery and impassioned opening speech to the Fenerbahce fans, Jose Mourinho declared, “This shirt is now my skin!” The renowned manager, who recently took charge of the Turkish club, wasted no time in expressing his commitment and dedication to the team and its supporters. With his characteristic intensity and charisma, Mourinho set the tone for what promises to be an exciting and transformative era for Fenerbahce.
In other news, Kylian Mbappe’s hopes of representing France at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris have been dashed as he was left out of Thierry Henry’s preliminary 25-man squad. Despite expressing his desire to participate in the Olympics, the 25-year-old forward was not selected for the squad announced on Monday morning. Mbappe, however, remains focused on his upcoming challenges, including the UEFA Euro 2024 and an upcoming friendly against Luxembourg.
Mbappe’s imminent move to Real Madrid, following the expiration of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain, has been the subject of much speculation. As the France captain, he will now shift his attention to leading his national team in their quest for a third European title. Les Bleus will kick off their campaign against the Netherlands on June 21, under the guidance of manager Didier Deschamps.
Meanwhile, Thierry Henry’s attention will be solely on Fenerbahce’s group matches in the Olympic Games. The team will face tough opponents in the form of the USA, Guinea, and New Zealand. The clash against the US will take place at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille on July 24, followed by a match against Guinea in Nice three days later. Fenerbahce’s final group encounter will be against New Zealand, back in Marseille, on July 30.
Among the players named in Henry’s squad are Mbappe’s former PSG teammates Warren Zaire-Emery and Bradley Barcola. Additionally, three Premier League players have been included – Chelsea’s Lesley Ugochukwu and Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta and Michael Olise. Maxime Esteve, who experienced relegation from the Premier League with Burnley last season, has also made the cut.
The full squad comprises a mix of talented individuals from various clubs. Notable names include goalkeepers Lucas Chevalier (Lille), Guillaume Restes (Toulouse), Obed Nkambadio (Paris FC), and Robin Risser (Dijon). The defensive line features players such as Kiliann Sildillia (Fribourg), Bafode Diakite (Lille), Castello Lukeba (Leipzig), Maxime Esteve (Burnley), Lenny Yoro (Lille), Adrien Truffert (Rennes), and Bradley Locko (Brest).
In midfield, Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG), Khephren Thuram (Nice), Manu Kone (Gladbach), Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Enzo Millot (Stuttgart), Andy Diouf (Lens), Joris Chotard (Montpellier), Desire Doue (Rennes), Rayan Cherki (Lyon), and Lesley Ugochukwu (Chelsea) will provide the creative spark. The forward line will be led by Bradley Barcola (PSG), Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Matthys Tel (Bayern Munich), Michael Olise (Crystal Palace), and Arnaud Kalimuendo (Rennes).
With an exciting mix of talent and experience, Henry’s squad will be aiming to make a strong impression in the Olympic Games. The stage is set for a thrilling tournament, and fans around the world eagerly await the action to unfold.