Speaking to the media ahead of France's Euro 2024 debut against Austria, 25-year-old striker Kylian Mbappe confirmed what was already widely known. He will not be taking part in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, despite the wishes of French President Emmanuel Macron.

"I understand my club's position because I am new here," explained the former PSG man, who will therefore not be part of his national team's quest for Olympic gold from 24 July to 9 August.

The striker was speaking on the eve of France's Euro 2024 debut against Austria. "I wish the French team all the best. Of course, I will be watching all their games as a spectator, not as a participant, and I hope they bring back the gold medal."

Despite not being available for Paris 2024, he expressed his desire for France to win the games. "I hope we win the games," said the former Monaco player, who was bought by PSG in 2017.

On his new club, multiple champions Real Madrid, he said, "I spoke to the coach and he told me that this time I can play in different positions and that it is not a problem. It doesn't matter where I play because I'm ready to adapt".

"Joining a new team in September would not be the best way to start my adventure," admitted Mbappe, who had previously expressed his desire to play for France's Olympic squad under Thierry Henry. The Spanish season starts a week later, while Madrid also have a UEFA Super Cup tie against Atalanta in Warsaw on 14 August.

The player has thus joined Messi in refusing to take part in the 2024 Paris Olympics (where clubs are not obliged to release players, unlike FIFA competitions), albeit for different reasons. The Argentine has withdrawn his name from Mascherano's list on the grounds that, at his age, he won't be able to play in the Copa America and the Olympics so close together.

Men's Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024

Wednesday 24 July 2024

Group A: France - United States | 21:00 | Stade de Marseille (Match 1)

Group A: Guinea v New Zealand | 17:00 | Stade de Nice (Match 2)

Group B: Argentina v Morocco | 15:00 | Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne (Match 3)

Group B: Iraq - Ukraine | 19:00 | Stade de Lyon (Match 4)

Group C: Uzbekistan - Spain | 15:00 | Parc des Princes, Paris (Match 5)

Group C: Egypt - Dominican Republic | 17:00 | Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes (Match 6)

Group D: Mali - Israel | 21:00 | Parc des Princes, Paris (Match 7)

Group D: Japan - Paraguay | 19:00 | Stade de Bordeaux (Match 8)

Saturday 27 July 2024

Group A: France v Guinea | 21:00 | Stade de Nice (Match 9)

Group A: New Zealand v United States | 19:00 | Stade de Marseille (Match 10)

Group B: Argentina v Iraq | 15:00 | Stade de Lyon (Match 11)

Group B: Ukraine vs Morocco | 17:00 | Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne (Match 12)

Group C: Uzbekistan - Egypt | 17:00 | Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes (Match 13)

Group C: Dominican Republic - Spain | 15:00 | Stade de Bordeaux (Match 14)

Group D: Israel - Paraguay | 19:00 | Parc des Princes, Paris (Match 15)

Group D: Japan - Mali | 21:00 | Stade de Bordeaux (Match 16)

Tuesday 30 July 2024

Group A: New Zealand v France | 19:00 | Stade de Marseille (Match 17)

Group A: United States v Guinea | 19:00 | Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne (Match 18)

Group B: Ukraine v Argentina | 17:00 | Stade de Lyon (Match 19)

Group B: Morocco - Iraq | 17:00 | Stade de Nice (Match 20)

Group C: Dominican Republic - Uzbekistan | 15:00 | Parc des Princes, Paris (Match 21)

Group C: Spain - Egypt | 15:00 | Stade de Bordeaux (Match 22)

Group D: Israel - Japan | 21:00 | Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes (Match 23)

Group D: Paraguay - Mali | 21:00 | Parc des Princes, Paris (Match 24)

Quarter-finals

Friday 2 August 2024

Match 25: 1A vs 2B | 21:00 | Stade de Bordeaux

Match 26: 1B vs 2A | 15:00 | Parc des Princes, Paris

Match 27: 1C vs 2D | 19:00 | Stade de Marseille

Match 28: 1D vs 2C | 17:00 | Stade de Lyon

Semi-finals

Monday 5 August 2024

Match 29: Winner of match 25 vs. winner of match 27 | 21:00 | Stade de Lyon

Match 30: Winner of match 26 vs. winner of match 28 | 18:00 | Stade de Marseille

Bronze medal match

Thursday 8 August 2024

Match 31: loser of match 29 vs. loser of match 30 | 17:00 | Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes

Gold medal match

Friday 9 August 2024

Match 32: Winner of match 29 vs. winner of match 30 | 18:00 | Parc des Princes, Paris