Zidane dismisses rift rumours with Mbappé ahead of France-Turkey

Zinédine Zidane confirmed on Saturday that Kylian Mbappé would return for the trip to Turkey on Sunday, in the sixth and final day of the Nations League. The Real Madrid forward had been absent since the first leg in late September.

“Everyone should be available normally. But we have to wait for the final training session,” the head coach said in his pre-match press conference. Zidane clarified that his captain would indeed be present, without revealing whether he would play on the left or in a central role. “It changes everything, we prefer to have him than not to have him. There is no problem, he will be with us tomorrow. You will see how we play. These are coaching decisions.”

Questioned repeatedly about rumours of a supposed disagreement with Mbappé, Zidane displayed an unusual irritation since taking charge of the French team. The 1998 World Cup winner firmly denied any tension with the Bondy-born player. “I don’t understand it but it’s not a big deal. That’s why I’m not going to get into the debate. I have the relationship of a coach with his player and it’s going perfectly. I can’t prevent people from saying what they say. But it’s nonsense. It’s a shame and quite annoying.”

France approaches this final day with the objective of concluding its Nations League campaign on a positive note, and the return of its captain comes at just the right time for the trip to Turkey.