Real Madrid make huge decision in Kylian Mbappe pursuit - report
- Mbappe is expected to join Real Madrid this summer when his PSG contract expires
- French forward had been keen to play at Paris Olympics
- Madrid have several stars who could feature this summer
By Tom Gott
Real Madrid are said to have informed the French Football Federation (FFF) that they will not release any players for this summer's Olympic Games, handing a huge blow to Kylian Mbappe's desire to play at the competition.
Mbappe has privately confirmed his decision to leave Paris Saint-Germain and is reported to have agreed terms with Madrid. During conversations with the Spanish side, the 25-year-old made it clear he wanted to be given the chance to represent France at this summer's Olympics in Paris.
Such a move would see Mbappe miss pre-season and the early weeks of the upcoming campaign.
As the Olympics is not a FIFA-recognised tournament, clubs have no obligation to release their players and L'Equipe state Madrid will refuse to allow any of their players to compete.
Madrid have contacted the FFF to inform them that all their French players - Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni - will be blocked from appearing this summer, and that would almost certainly apply to Mbappe if he joins the club this summer.
The Olympic team will be led by Thierry Henry, who admitted the challenge in convincing clubs to release their top stars.
"It's not a question of disappointment because I can understand everything," he said. "We have to understand one thing: the decision comes from the club.
"Teams need their players at the start of the season. The teams abroad don't think about the Olympics or us, but about them. It's in the hands of the clubs. We're trying to discuss and see what can happen, but if the club sticks to its decision, it is difficult for us to do something."
Senior France boss Didier Deschamps added: "It's not me who decides the team. If Thierry decides to take a player and the club agrees, he will be in the team.
"The common objective of the FFF, Thierry and myself is to have the best possible team. Let's not forget the last Olympics and the refusal of clubs to release their players. French clubs will be more aware of the fact that it is in Paris, but that goes over the heads of the foreign clubs.
"I am not against Thierry, I am with him, but my past as a player makes me say that it is difficult on a psychological and physical level to string together two competitions. I hope Thierry can get a firm and definitive yes from the players."
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