Mbappé scores then exits with knee injury against Turkey

Kylian Mbappé left the field with an injury Friday evening in Izmit, just five minutes after opening the scoring for France against Turkey in Nations League action. The 27-year-old France captain felt sharp pain in his right knee at the moment of his shot and was replaced by Désiré Doué in the 59th minute.

Deployed on the left wing by Zinédine Zidane in his first match in charge, the Real Madrid star had little impact on the game before breaking the deadlock. Set up by Michael Olise following a Turkish turnover in their own half, Mbappé finished with his right foot to give France the advantage (54’). But the pain struck immediately: the forward went down to the ground in the 58th minute before being forced to leave the pitch.

The exact nature of the injury remains unknown. Further medical examinations are needed to determine its severity, which has left Zidane particularly tight-lipped on the subject in his post-match press conference. The stakes are considerable: France play a second Nations League match against Belgium next Monday in Brussels, before hosting Italy and then facing the Red Devils again at Stade de France.

The evening also raises tactical questions. Mbappé, who has not played on the wing since 2024, was positioned on the left flank by Zidane, keeping him away from Olise, named best passer of the last World Cup. The decision to separate the two most decisive French players from the World Cup — the tournament’s top scorer and best passer — came as a surprise.