France and Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe has tested positive for COVID-19, the French federation announced on Monday. The 21-year-old left the France training camp to isolate at home after his test results returned positive and will miss Tuesday’s Nations League match against Croatia.
Mbappe, who scored France’s only goal to defeat Sweden 1-0 in the Nations League match on Saturday, had tested negative for COVID-19 before joining the national training camp and also ahead of the Sweden clash. He is currently asymptomatic.
“Kylian Mbappe will not participate in France versus Croatia on Tuesday evening at 20:45CET at the Stade de France,” a statement from the French FA read.
“The result of his COVID-19 test carried out by UEFA on Monday morning was found to be positive. He was placed away from the group after receiving the results, at the end of the training, before going back to his own home in the evening.
Meanwhile, PSG hit out at the French federation for the manner in which the club had learned about Mbappe’s COVID-19 positive result. PSG sporting director Leonardo claimed that no one informed the club about one of their star players contracting the virus.
“I find it completely unacceptable that we learn from the press that one of our players is positive. They released a statement and sent the player home but no-one from the Federation has communicated this to us. No one has contacted us,” Leonardo said, adding that he was forced to call Mbappe to confirm the same.
The French striker is expected to miss PSG’s forthcoming fixtures against Lens, Marseille, and Metz.
With Mbappe’s absence, PSG is likely to be shorthanded for their upcoming matches as several players in the club have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Neymar, Angel Di Maria, Leandro Paredes, Marquinhos, Keylor Navas, and Mauro Icardi were on holiday in Ibiza after PSG’s Champions League loss against Bayern Munich in the final, and are self-isolating at their homes after testing positive for COVID-19.
