Kylian Mbappe’s Olympics dream quashed by Real Madrid, reveals France coach Thierry Henry

Kylian Mbappe will not be representing France at the Paris Olympics as head coach Thierry Henry named the preliminary 25-man squad without the forward's name in it.Henry revealed that he wanted Mbappe in the squad but Real Madrid made it clear thatthey will not release their 'soon-to-be-announced' star player for the tournament.

The 25-year-old is widely expected tojoin the Spanish giants in the coming days following his high-profile departure from Paris Saint-Germain.

"Real Madrid were really straightforward about the Olympics.The last time I received so many rejections was at the university. There have not even been negotiations. You go, you ask, they say no and you leave," said Henry in a press conference on Monday (Jun 3).

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Notably, the participation of players in the Olympics depends on the policy of the respective clubs that the footballer plays for.

Teams in the men's competition are restricted to players aged 23 and under, but they can name a maximum of three overaged players in the squad, which means 25-year-old Mbappe could have been included in the squad.

Macron on Mbappe

Previously, French President Emmanuel Macron had hoped that Mbappe's club would allow him to play for the French men's football team in the quadrennial event.

"We are going to do everything (to have a competitive team). I have confidence in the French and European clubs, if I may say so if you see what I mean. We have the Euro before, that's the problem. I think the clubs have to play their part if we want to have a great show," said Macron.

"I have not yet spoken to him [Mbappe] about that, but I hope that his club, in particular, allows it. And the other clubs too," he added.

Mbappe had also expressed his wish to play for theLes Bluesbut acknowledged that the decision ultimately laywith his 'employers'.

“It's my employer who decides," he had said. "It will be a pleasure to play in them, but if my employer doesn't want to, I will support that decision. I don't think it will take much time to think about it.”

The opening ceremony of Paris Olympics takes place on July 26 when over300,000 people are expected to watch aflotilla of boats carrying national teams down the Seine River.

France’s preliminary Olympic squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier, Obed Nkambadio, Guillaume Restes, Robin Risser

Defenders: Bafode Diakite, Mazime Esteve, Bradley Locko, Castello Lukeba, Kiliann Sildillia, Adrien Truffert, Leny Yoro

Midfielders: Maghnes Akliouche, Joris Chotard, Desire Doue, Manu Kone, Enzo Millot, Khephran Thuram, Lesley Ugochukwu, Warren Zaire-Emery

Forwards: Bradley Barcola, Arnaud Kalimuendo, Alexandre Lacazette, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Michael Olise, Mathys Tel

(With inputs from agencies)