Francia’s new coach Zidane clashes with Mbappé over role
France’s new head coach Zinedine Zidane is at odds with Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappé, with the first strain appearing during the September‑October FIFA window when Zidane shifted Mbappé to the left wing and kept Ousmane Dembélé as centre‑forward, a move the captain interpreted as a demotion.
The discord contrasts with the harmony the striker enjoyed under former coach Didier Deschamps.
Mbappé suffered a hamstring strain and was absent from the morning training session, making his participation against Italy on Thursday doubtful.
The federation initially blamed load management before confirming the hamstring issue.
Zidane said he could deploy Mbappé in his preferred striker position for the upcoming Italy and Turkey games, adding there would be no problem.
Zidane misses Mbappé vs Italy, hopes for Turkey's recovery in Bordeaux
France also lack Pierre Kalulu, Marcus Thuram and Aurélien Tchouaméni, the latter having been released to his Real Madrid club after an adductor injury.
Les Bleus will face Italy on Thursday 12 November at 16.45 and meet Turkey three days later in Bordeaux.
The situation echoes the early challenges faced by Lionel Scaloni with Lionel Messi in the Argentina Selección and by Jorge Jesus with Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal.
Mbappé alarm: Real Madrid striker misses training
Olé reported the tension and Reuters supplied the archival photo of Zidane and Mbappé together.