Paris 2024: Will Kylian Mbappe represent France at the Olympic Games?

With only 100 days left until the Paris Olympics, a major question hangs over the French sporting scene: will Kylian Mbappé, arguably the nation’s most celebrated athlete, represent his home country?

According to reporter Miriam Walker, Mbappé is highly enthusiastic about competing in the Games. He recently described it as a “dream” and the “holy grail” for athletes [1]. This potential swansong on home soil, coinciding with his expected summer transfer to Real Madrid, adds another layer of intrigue.

The situation is further complicated by the involvement of French Football Manager, Thierry Henry, and President Emmanuel Macron. Henry could potentially select Mbappé as one of the three allowed over-age players in the Olympic squad [1]. President Macron has even intervened, urging European clubs to release players for the Olympics [1].

The challenge lies in the tight scheduling. Mbappé could potentially compete in both the Euros and the Olympics, but the Euros conclude just two weeks before the Olympics begin [1].

FIFAHowever, the biggest hurdle might be Real Madrid. The club reportedly has a policy against players participating in the Olympics, and the Olympics fall outside FIFA‘s international windows, meaning clubs aren’t obligated to release players [1]. Furthermore, Mbappé’s potential record-breaking transfer could further complicate matters as Real Madrid wouldn’t want him starting the season fatigued. Tight turnarounds between potential Olympic competition and the start of La Liga season add another layer of difficulty [1].

Mbappé’s desire to play in the Olympics could potentially clash with his transfer to Real Madrid. While Mbappé’s influence is undeniable, it remains to be seen if he can overcome these substantial obstacles. As Miriam Walker aptly concludes, “who would want to say no to Mbappé?” Yet, the answer to his Olympic participation might lie outside his control. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Mbappé gets to fulfill his dream on home soil.