Mbappé limps out of France duty with knee hyperextension after record goal

Kylian Mbappé has been sent back to Real Madrid after suffering a hyperextension of the posterior capsule of his left knee during France’s 1-0 UEFA Nations League victory over Turkey on Friday, cutting short his international window before it has barely begun.

The 25-year-old limped off the pitch moments after netting his 67th goal for France — a new record for the national team — leaving the Stade de France crowd with an anxious wait for news on his condition. Real Madrid confirmed the diagnosis on Saturday following tests carried out by the club’s medical staff, though they provided no timeline for his return and gave no indication of the treatment plan.

France coach Zinedine Zidane had already struck a cautious tone before the club’s announcement, describing the prognosis as “not good.” The severity of the injury remains unclear, but the absence of any recovery estimate from Madrid suggests the club is taking a measured approach before committing to a timeframe.

Mbappé’s early departure leaves France without their captain and record scorer for the remainder of the international break. Les Bleus face Belgium away on Monday, then host Italy on 2 October before welcoming Belgium again three days later at the Stade de France — three fixtures in which Mbappé will play no part.

The timing is a significant blow for both club and country. Mbappé joined Real Madrid this summer and has been central to their early-season plans, while France are navigating a Nations League group that demands results. His absence will test the depth of Didier Deschamps’ squad across three games in the space of a week.