For some, it's just an ignition delay.
For others, the last chance to participate in a World Cup which has just taken off.
Didier Deschamps and his staff have chosen to trust 25 players for the World Cup in Qatar (November 20-December 18).
They inevitably leave behind a certain number of living forces.
We chose seven.
Mike Maignan, a fatal calf
The doorman of AC Milan (27 years old, 5 caps) still represents the future in the cages of the France team.
Unfortunately, the present will be played out without him.
The former Mastiff is too fair, for the taste of Didier Deschamps, to apply for a number two spot this winter.
He had occupied this second place since the start of the 2021 school year, just after the failure of the Euro.
Hit in a calf since September 22 and the last gathering of the Blues, he was dismissed in favor of Steve Mandanda, 37, and Alphonse Areola.
Jonathan Clauss, not invited in a four-defender system
Didier Deschamps did not hide it.
The selection of his nine-defender line depended heavily on returning to the 4-defender system.
Jonathan Clauss has performed well since arriving in blue last March.
He was also part of the following two gatherings.
Unfortunately, the Marseillais has the defect of especially shining in a role of piston.
He is able to bite his line and multiply forward runs and crosses.
It turns out to be much less comfortable and less calibrated to play in a flat defense.
“I am well aware of Jonathan's immense disappointment.
The system is the main reason for his absence,” agreed the coach.
Read alsoJonathan Clauss on his debut with the Blues: "I don't want to be in the dream anymore"
Same thing for Lucas Digne
He is the most experienced of these seven absentees (46 selections).
The side of Aston Villa has also suffered from this tactical reversal of "DD".
Absent from the last two major competitions, he never disappeared from Deschamp's plans but never managed to win either.
At 29, he has not yet completely mortgaged his chances of enjoying the happiness of a World Cup.
He also chose to react lightly to his non-selection by posting a video of his two children very happy to have their dad for them this winter.
Ferland Mendy, promises never confirmed
He too has never really convinced the staff since his debut in November 2018. He has seen his progress disrupted by repeated injuries even if his record is impressive with two Spanish champion titles (2020, 2022) and a Champions League (2022).
At 27, the left side has rarely been able to repeat his performances in Blue with the White House.
Frustrating.
Read alsoWorld 2022: the 25 Blues to keep the Cup at home
Boubacar Kamara, too late
For a long time, it was thought that the fate of Boubacar Kamara was already sealed.
The former Marseillais, now an Aston Villa player, had been announced forfeited for the World Cup after a serious right knee injury at the end of September.
Finally returned to training earlier than expected and even on the pitch, since he played a few minutes with Aston Villa again last weekend against Manchester United.
Too fair, however, to convince Didier Deschamps to make room for him in the middle despite the absences of Pogba and Kanté.
Would he have been called if he had been 100%?
Impossible to know, of course, but his rating had been climbing for a few months.
Kamara had known his first selection last June and had been recalled at the start of the school year, before being injured.
Moussa Diaby, victim of competition
Like Nkunku, he was trained at PSG.
Like Nkunku, he shines in Germany.
But unlike his friend, Moussa Diaby will not be at the World Cup.
Despite good performances with Leverkusen and some interesting performances during his 8 selections in Blue, the Bayer Leverkusen winger was not retained by Didier Deschamps.
No doubt because in front, the competition is quite incredible on the wings with Coman, Dembelé, Mbappé or Nkunku.
But also because Diaby never "exploded" with the France team.
To get past such big names, more had to be done.
Wissam Ben Yedder, regular but not essential
Of the great absentees, he is behind Lucas Digne the most accustomed to the France group.
Substitute in blue for the past four years, Wissam Ben Yedder has worn the jersey of the France team 19 times, without ever really proving that he had the international level.
Despite his three goals in Blue, Deschamps preferred an Olivier Giroud, his season in Milan and his past with the selection being considered as solid arguments.
Too solid to leave room for "WBY", despite his status as the second top scorer in Ligue 1 last year (25 goals) behind Kylian Mbappé (28).
At 32, the train now seems to have passed.
The new generation is knocking at the door, like a Moussa Diaby, a Marcus Thuram or a Martin Terrier.
