Image source, Getty Images
France striker Kylian Mbappe says his new club Real Madrid would not let him play at the Olympics in Paris this summer.
The 25-year-old, who had said he wanted to play in his home Games, was not selected in France’s provisional Olympic squad on 3 June because Real said any player competing at Euro 2024 could not play at the Olympics.
He has agreed to join Real on a free transfer when his Paris St-Germain contract expires on 30 June.
“My club’s position was very clear, so from that moment on, I think I won’t be taking part in the Games,” said Mbappe, who is part of the France team that will begin their Euro 2024 campaign against Austria in Dusseldorf on Monday.
“That’s just the way it is, and I understand that too. I’m joining a new team in September, so it’s not the best way to start an adventure.
“Now I think I’m going to wish this French team all the best. I’m going to watch every game. I hope they’ll bring home the gold medal.”
The men’s Olympic football competition starts on 24 July – 10 days after the Euro 2024 final – and ends on 9 August, just over a week before the La Liga season begins.
The Olympic football tournament is contested by under-23 teams but each nation can include three over-age players in their squad.
Two-time European champions France are among the favourites to win Euro 2024.
Manager Didier Deschamps is aiming to become only the second person to win the Euros as a player and manager, after Germany’s Berti Vogts.
How can I watch Austria v France?
The match will be shown live on ITV at 20:00 BST.
There is full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and you can also follow live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app.
Match stats
- Austria and France have met 25 times. France have won 13, Austria nine and there have been three draws.
- Austria have not lost in 15 of their past 16 matches (W12, D3, L1).
- Marcel Sabitzer and Marko Arnautovic could become the first Austria players to feature at three major tournaments.
- France are two-time winners of the Euros (1984 and 2000) and have reached the final at three of their past four major tournaments.
- France are unbeaten in Euros and World Cup matches on German soil (W5, D3, L0).
- This is France boss Didier Deschamps’ sixth Euros – three as a player (1992, 1996, 2000) and three as a manager (2016, 2020, 2024). He is one away from securing his 100th victory in charge (W99, D30, L24).
- Olivier Giroud is France’s leading scorer with 57 goals.
- Only Hugo Lloris (145) and Lilian Thuram (142) have won more caps than Giroud (133).
- Mbappe has been directly involved in 24 goals (14 goals, 10 assists) in his past 14 appearances for France.