Kylian Mbappe will return to the fold for France after being omitted from their Nations League squads in October and November in the aftermath of his Real Madrid transfer.

Mbappe moved to Madrid in the summer from Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain, bringing the curtain down on a lengthy, protracted pursuit that dominated headlines all around the world.

The 26-year-old got off to a slow start for Real Madrid, as he acclimatised to his new surroundings, but has recently hit top form domestically and in the Champions League. His goal in Tuesday’s 3-2 knockout play-off round first leg win over Manchester City was his fourth in this season’s competition and his 24th of the season overall.

Outgoing France manager Didier Deschamps, who will vacate his post after the 2026 World Cup, has now confirmed that Mbappe will return to the fold for the upcoming March internationals.

“Of course he’ll be there. Why wouldn’t he be? Yes, for very specific reasons [he was not here] but he’ll be there if nothing happens to him between now and then,” Deschamps told L’Equipe. “He’s very attached to the French team, even if he’s had a complicated personal period. He’s back to full fitness, and you can see that in his game, and in his head too.”

Elaborating on his Mbappe’s previous absences, he reasoned: “Few holidays, little preparation, six complicated months in Paris, back pain, a broken nose at the Euro – these things obviously have athletic and psychological consequences, not to mention his adjustment to Madrid.

“It took some time, but it fell into place because he did everything necessary.”

Mbappe’s prior absence was all the more curious because he is France’s captain, yet Deschamps claimed there will be no lasting effects once he rejoins the group.

“There have always been internal discussions, individual or collective … And [the previous international break] does not call into question his leadership,” he said.

“I have no reason today to say that he will not be captain in March. But I will discuss with him, as we often do.”

Mbappe’s goals have not only helped fire Madrid into a strong position to qualify for the Champions League last 16, but also to the top of La Liga. The defending champions have lost some momentum in their last two outings, though, with Mbappe’s strike against title rivals Atletico only good enough to earn a point at the Santiago Bernabeu.