French soccer faces a turbulent period as Kylian Mbappe, one of its brightest stars, grapples with both personal and professional challenges following his high-profile summer transfer to Real Madrid.

Even when he is not there for France, the focus remains on Kylian Mbappé. On the eve of a high-risk Nations League match against Israel in Paris, France coach Didier Deschamps was asked Wednesday if he had spoken with Mbappé about his decision to leave the Real Madrid forward out of his squad.

Kylian Mbappe is going through “a difficult period” of struggles, said France boss Didier Deschamps, who left the forward out of his UEFA Nations League squad.