Knee Tendon Injury: Mbappé Out for France's Next Three Nations League Matches

Kylian Mbappé has left the France squad with a left knee tendon injury sustained Friday night during the 1-0 victory in Turkey, Zinédine Zidane’s first match on the bench as head coach. The captain will not be replaced and will miss the next three Nations League matches.

The injury occurred on the very play of the decisive goal: while striking at goal, Mbappé suffered what Zidane initially described as « an overstretching on his shot ». The diagnosis became clearer after the final whistle. « The news is not good. He has a tendon injury to his knee, » the head coach confirmed to the press, adding that the forward had to return to Madrid without delay. « We’re not going to take any risks, » he insisted.

The exact length of his unavailability will be known after medical examinations conducted by Real Madrid’s medical staff. In the meantime, Zidane and his team made their decision Saturday morning, before departing for Brussels: no replacement will be called up. France will face Belgium on Monday, then Italy and the Red Devils again during this Nations League gathering.

Mbappé’s absence opens the door to more playing time for Désiré Doué and Bradley Barcola, both capable of playing on the left wing. For Zidane, who was recording his first victory as head coach, the start of his tenure thus leaves a bitter taste despite the three points earned in Turkey.