France face Nations League test without Mbappé after Friday injury
Kylian Mbappé (27) collapsed after netting the winner for France against Turkey on Friday night, sustaining a knee‑tendon injury that the French Football Federation confirmed. The strike gave Les Bleus a 1‑0 lead in Zinédine Zidane’s opening match as manager.
Post‑match, the FFF announced that the Real Madrid forward will miss the remainder of the extended international break. Mbappé left the team hotel on Saturday morning and his withdrawal from the squad was confirmed.
Les Bleus still have three Nations League fixtures this break – two against Belgium and one versus Italy – before the final game of the window. The squad set off for Brussels on Saturday, with the next match against Belgium scheduled for Monday night.
Zidane manages his first match for the Bleus against Turkey
No replacement called up
According to L’Équipe, despite three more games over the next week and a half, the French federation will not summon a replacement for their injured captain. The decision leaves Zidane’s side to compete without Mbappé for the remainder of the Nations League campaign.
France’s chances in the group now hinge on the performances of the remaining squad, as they aim to maintain their early momentum without their talismanic forward.
Mbappé is injured after scoring France's only lead in Turkey