Kylian Mbappé has plunged France’s World Cup campaign into turmoil after abandoning the national team’s training camp just 24 hours before the tournament’s kick-off, triggering a storm of criticism and raising questions about the squad’s cohesion. The Real Madrid forward, widely regarded as Les Bleus’ talisman, left the squad following a friendly against Northern Ireland and was later photographed in Madrid with Spanish actress Ester Expósito. While the French Football Federation confirmed the departure was authorised by coach Didier Deschamps for “personal reasons”, the timing has been widely condemned as reckless, with many questioning the judgment of a player who should be the team’s on-pitch leader.

Viewed from Paris, the episode has inflamed long-simmering tensions around Mbappé’s status within the squad. French media have been scathing, portraying the 27-year-old as a prima donna whose off-field distractions undermine the collective spirit. Supporters and pundits alike have contrasted his behaviour with the disciplined focus expected of a host nation’s star player – France is co-hosting the tournament alongside Mexico and Canada – and the controversy has overshadowed the team’s solid recent form. Analysts in London note that the incident echoes past French squad disruptions, such as the 2010 World Cup mutiny, and warn that even a single distraction can derail a title challenge in a high-pressure environment.

From Madrid, the narrative is more forgiving. Spanish outlets highlight that Mbappé’s departure was sanctioned and that no formal indiscipline occurred, pointing to his strong relationship with Deschamps. Yet the optics remain damaging: a player leaving his national team on the eve of the world’s biggest football event to spend time with his partner suggests a prioritisation of personal life over professional duty. The Real Madrid camp has remained silent, but the club’s fans are divided – some defend his right to privacy, others worry about his commitment to the national cause.

Looking ahead, the Mbappé affair threatens to become a defining subplot of France’s World Cup campaign. If the team performs well, the incident may be quickly forgotten; but any early stumble will inevitably be traced back to this moment of perceived indiscipline. Deschamps now faces the delicate task of reintegrating his star player while maintaining squad morale, a challenge that will test his famed man-management skills. For Mbappé, the pressure is immense: he must now deliver on the pitch to silence the critics and prove that his focus remains on bringing the World Cup back to France.