Is Kylian Mbappé getting preferential treatment from the French National Team? That's the explosive question rocking the football world, and it's sparking heated debate among fans and former players alike. After France secured their spot in the 2026 World Cup with a decisive 4-0 victory over Ukraine – a match where Mbappé himself scored twice but also sustained an injury – the French Football Federation (FFF) made a decision that's causing major controversy.
Mbappé, along with teammate Eduardo Camavinga (who also picked up a hamstring issue), were allowed to leave the squad early, skipping the final group stage match against Azerbaijan, a game that wouldn't affect France's qualification status. The FFF stated this was to allow both players to return to Real Madrid for further medical assessment and recovery.
But here's where it gets controversial...
Former French international Jérôme Rothen didn't hold back his criticism. Speaking on his show Rothen s’enflamm, he slammed the FFF's decision as blatant 'special treatment' for Mbappé. Rothen, who earned 13 caps for France, argued that the team captain shouldn't receive privileges not extended to other players who also endure a grueling schedule.
Rothen’s exact words cut deep: "Mbappé is the captain, he receives special treatment, fine. But there are other players who play the same number of matches throughout the year. Do you think they aren't tired and wouldn't prefer to skip a meaningless game? They go because they have to."
And this is the part most people miss... Rothen didn't mention Camavinga at all in his criticism, focusing solely on Mbappé. This suggests his issue isn't simply about resting injured players, but about the perceived imbalance of power and privilege within the squad. Rothen further fueled the fire by suggesting that this kind of favoritism could breed resentment within the team. "Making decisions like this can create problems in the locker room, and I remain convinced that there are players fed up with this preferential treatment."
It's worth noting that Mbappé recently celebrated a significant milestone, scoring his 400th senior goal for club and country. A breakdown of those goals highlights his prolific career: 27 for Monaco, 55 for France, 62 for Real Madrid, and a staggering 246 for PSG. This achievement only amplifies the debate – is he so crucial to the team's success that he deserves extra consideration?
However, the narrative isn't entirely one-sided. Another former French player, Emmanuel Petit, offered a contrasting viewpoint. Petit stated he wouldn't be bothered by Mbappé receiving preferential treatment, arguing that a player with Mbappé's exceptional talent – someone capable of single-handedly winning matches for France – deserves to be managed with extra care. "Preferential treatment has always existed," Petit said. "And if I were a player, it wouldn’t bother me: we’re talking about a guy who wins matches single-handedly."
This raises a critical question: Is it acceptable to grant special privileges to exceptionally talented players if it benefits the team's overall performance? Or does it create a toxic environment of inequality and resentment?
Adding another layer to the story, The Athletic reported that Mbappé is expected to be fit for Real Madrid's next La Liga match against Elche on November 23rd. This news might further fuel Rothen's argument, suggesting that Mbappé's early departure was more about managing his workload for his club than a genuine injury concern.
What do you think? Is Jérôme Rothen right to call out what he sees as 'special treatment' for Kylian Mbappé? Or does Emmanuel Petit have a point – should exceptional players be managed differently? And could this decision, regardless of its justification, potentially disrupt the harmony within the French national team? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
