Mbappe's decision to refuse to participate in the Olympic torch relay and the men's soccer tournament has really caused a lot of controversy. First of all, as an iconic French soccer player and a star in the global soccer community, his refusal to serve as a torchbearer may make the public question whether he has enough national honor. In addition, since he is the captain of the French men's soccer team, such a decision may also be seen as disrespectful to the national team.
However, Mbappe's reasons for turning down the torch relay seem more compelling. He is currently on vacation in Spain, which suggests that he may indeed need a break, especially after having just finished the Euros. Participating in the Olympics could take up a lot of his time, affecting his fitness with the team and potentially negatively affecting his fitness. Such considerations make sense considering his fitness issues towards the end of the season in Paris.
As for playing in the Olympic men's soccer tournament, Mbappe expressed his willingness to do so with Real Madrid's permission, but due to an injury he sustained during the Euros that required more time to recover, Real Madrid ultimately didn't agree to his participation. This explains why he did not play in the Olympics.
While Mbappe's decision may have some impact on the impact of the Olympic soccer tournament, the soccer world usually respects a player's personal choice. For Mbappe, maintaining good fitness and a good relationship with his club may be more important considerations.
