France captain Kylian Mbappé has returned to the national squad for this month’s UEFA Nations League quarter-final against Croatia, while Paris Saint-Germain teenager Désiré Doué has received his first senior call-up.

Mbappé, 26, was omitted from the previous two France squads during the Nations League group stage in October and November. Initially left out due to fitness concerns, the Real Madrid forward was later excluded amid media speculation about his personal life.

At the time, head coach Didier Deschamps described the decision as being "for the best" given the off-field distractions surrounding the striker. However, Mbappé has since been in excellent form for Real Madrid, scoring 28 goals in all competitions this season since joining the club last year.

"I have spoken with him, and I reaffirm what I said a few weeks ago—he will remain the captain," Deschamps stated when asked about Mbappé’s role as skipper.

Doué Rewarded for Club Form

Nineteen-year-old Doué has been recognised for his impressive performances at club level. Since establishing himself as a regular in the PSG side in mid-December, he has contributed to 17 goals in 23 appearances.

Capable of playing both as a winger and in midfield, Doué made a significant impact in PSG’s Champions League last-16 second leg against Liverpool on Tuesday, coming off the bench before scoring the decisive penalty in the shoot-out.

Signed from Rennes for a reported €50 million (£42.6m) last August, Doué was also part of Thierry Henry’s France Under-23 squad that won silver at the Paris Olympics last year.

"He is not always a starter for his club, but whenever he plays, he has shown significant progress," Deschamps remarked. "He is still very young, but he is an exciting prospect for us. I could have waited, but I believe now is the right time to call him up."

France’s Path to the Final Four

France will travel to Split to face Croatia in the first leg of the quarter-final next Thursday, 20th March, in a rematch of the 2018 World Cup final, which Les Bleus won. The return leg will take place at the Stade de France on Sunday, 23rd March.

The winners will progress to the final four, which will be hosted in either Italy or Germany in June.

One notable absentee from the squad is N’Golo Kanté, with Deschamps revealing that the Al-Ittihad midfielder is recovering from a minor muscle injury.

France Squad

Goalkeepers:

Lucas Chevalier (Lille), Mike Maignan (AC Milan/ITA), Brice Samba (Rennes)

Defenders:

Jonathan Clauss (Nice), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa/ENG), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan/ITA), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool/ENG), Jules Koundé (Barcelona/ESP), Benjamin Pavard (Inter Milan/ITA), William Saliba (Arsenal/ENG), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich/GER)

Midfielders:

Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid/ESP), Matteo Guendouzi (Lazio/ITA), Manu Koné (Roma/ITA), Adrien Rabiot (Marseille), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid/ESP), Warren Zaïre-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)

Forwards:

Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué (all Paris Saint-Germain), Randal Kolo Muani (Juventus/ITA, on loan from Paris Saint-Germain), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid/ESP), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich/GER), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan/ITA)