The coach of the French national team that will compete in the next Olympic Games to be held in the city of Paris this year, Thierry Henry, made official the announcement of a preliminary list of 25 players that does not include players of the caliber of Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann.
It should also be mentioned that Henry, a former Arsenal and Football Club Barcelona player, saved a place on the list for a player over 23 years of age, which leaves the door open to an invitation in the future for the footballer whose coaching staff consider should be included in the team. Alexandre Lacazette (33 years old, Olympique Lyon) and Jean-Philippe Mateta (26 years old, Crystal Palace) are the two experienced players mentioned by the historic former world champion attacker.
Weighty names on the outside
The national teams that will take part in Paris 2024 will be made up of a total of 18 players, of which only three can be over 23 years of age. Another who did not receive the call from Henry and who had previously expressed his intention to compete in the Olympic Games was forward Antoine Griezmann.
The French team will seek the gold medal in its nation’s capital and for this reason, on June 16, work will begin in Clairefontaine, one of the preparation centers of the French Football Federation. The other renowned players mentioned who will also play in the German Euro Cup this year are Bradley Barcola and Warren Zaire-Emery, both from Paris Saint Germain.
Another important name that was also left out of the aforementioned list is Eduardo Camavinga from Real Madrid. According to information published by the French newspaper L’Equipe, Henry left several players who had previously been regulars off the list, such as Malo Gusto, from Chelsea, Rayan Cherki (Lyon), and Elye Wahi (Lens).
In the press conference after the presentation of the names, the coach was clear when asked if he would add one more senior player for the competition that is scheduled to begin on July 24 – two days before the ceremony. inaugural – and which will end on August 9 with the match for the gold medal. “There will be 3 players over 23 years old, but I can’t tell you more. It is not easy with the clubs, who have the right to retain them,” admitted the French coach.
Mbappé still has a chance
Henry was clear in saying that “the list is open to everyone, the door is not closed to anyone ” after receiving a question about Mbappé ‘s future at the Olympic Games.
France’s preparation for Paris 2024
In preparation for the Olympics, France will be facing Paraguay on July 4 in Bayonne. A week later, on the 11th, the eleventh gala will face the Dominican Republic and the last presentation will be against Japan on July 17. Les Bleus were seeded in the draw and start as the clear favorites in Group A that they will share with the United States (July 24 in Marseille), Guinea (7/27 in Nice), and New Zealand (7/30 in Marseille).
France’s 25-player roster for the Olympic Games:
Goalkeepers (4): Lucas Chevalier (Lille), Guillaume Restes (Toulouse), Obed Nkambadio (Paris FC), Robin Risser (Strasbourg).
Defenders (7): Kiliann Sildillia (Freiburg), Bafode Diakite (Lille), Castello Lukeba (Leipzig), Maxime Esteve (Burnley), Lenny Yoro (Lille), Adrien Truffert (Rennes) and Bradley Locko (Brest).
Volantes (8): Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG), Khéphren Thuram (Niza), Manu Koné (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Maghnes Akliouche (Mónaco), Enzo Millot (Stuttgart), Joris Chotard (Montpellier), Désiré Doué (Rennes), Lesley Ugochukwu (Chelsea).
Delanteros (6): Bradley Barcola (PSG), Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Matthys Tel (Bayern Múnich), Michael Olise (Crystal Palace), Arnaud Kalimuendo (Rennes).
