Mbappe storm intensifies after reported night out during France absence

Kylian Mbappe is facing more criticism in his homeland after he reportedly visited a nightclub in Sweden on Thursday - the same night as France's Nations League win over Israel.

The forward had already caused controversy in France after he was omitted from coach Didier Deschamps' squad for October's fixtures due to a muscle issue. Mbappe appeared as a substitute for Real Madrid the evening before the omission and played over 70 minutes for his club two days after Deschamps' squad announcement.

Swedish publication Aftonbladet then circulated images Friday of Mbappe purportedly leaving a restaurant in Stockholm and entering a vehicle that transported his party to a nightclub.

(Images courtesy: Aftonbladet)

In addition to Thursday's victory over Israel, Mbappe will also miss Monday's match against Belgium in Brussels.

Fellow France players are defending Mbappe's conduct. Lazio midfielder Matteo Guendouzi insisted there there was "no question" about the absent captain's passion for representing Les Bleus.

"He loves his country; he will continue to help us. We must stop talking about it too much," Guendouzi told a press conference when quizzed about the report from Sweden, according to ESPN. "He has days off; he can do what he wants."

Wesley Fofana also backed the skipper and said the media had gone "a little too far."

"People can do what they want with their free time," the Chelsea defender said. "It isn't something we (the squad) have talked about today, I hadn't heard about this story.

"He does what he wants; he is a great guy and a great professional. Are we making too much of it? I don't know. He's the best French player, so it's normal that it is very publicized."

Deschamps stressed earlier this week that Mbappe's employers are Real Madrid, not the French Football Federation, and strongly indicated that this influenced his decision to leave the 86-time France international out of the latest camp.

"I know very well that he's not going to go against his club," Deschamps said. "You have to do what's in the player's best interests without putting him in difficulty."