The long trip to Azerbaijan perhaps didn’t appeal to Mbappé for what is essentially a dead rubber, but an official reason has been supplied as to why Didier Deschamps’ captain won’t be playing. France’s No. 10 was r eleased from international duty on Friday due to an ankle issue likely sustained in Thursday’s triumph over Ukraine.

The legal dispute between Paris Saint-Germain and Kylian Mbappé escalated on Monday with both sides making colossal financial demands.