France manager Didier Deschamps has expressed concern over the growing mental stresses his players face with the congested football calendar and accentuated exposure via social media.

France closed 2024 with an unexpected recovery in the UEFA Nations League which was completed by a 3-1 win away at Italy on Sunday. Adrien Rabiot scored a headed goal in each half as Lucas Digne excelled with a role in each of the three French goals as Didier Deschamps' men edged the Azzurri in goal difference in Milan.

Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe is fully fit, and has been for the past two international breaks, yet the France captain has not been part of Didier Deschamps’ squad on either occasion. The first