Ibrahima Konaté misses Zidane's debut due to a slight sprain

Ibrahima Konaté, centre‑back of Real Madrid, has left the France national team camp after suffering a mild sprain in his right knee during Wednesday's training, the French Football Federation (FFF) announced on Thursday.

Diagnosis and availability

The player underwent a control MRI that confirmed the injury. According to the coaching staff and after discussions between the Bleus' doctor and Real Madrid's doctor, the FFF reported that Konaté is available to his club from that same day.

Impact on Zidane's squad

Konaté's absence leaves the new manager, Zinédine Zidane, without one of his reference centre‑backs for the first Nations League match against Turkey, scheduled for Friday at 20:45 at the Kocaeli Stadium in Izmit.

To cover the vacancy, Zidane has called up 20‑year‑old Leny Yoro, Manchester United centre‑back, who was already at the Clairefontaine National Football Centre with the under‑21 squad and moves directly to the senior team without needing to travel.

France face Belgium without Ibrahima Konaté, a test for Zidane

Player and team context

Konaté joined Real Madrid as a free agent from Liverpool and signed a contract that runs until 30 June 2030. His early return to Madrid comes during the break and is seen as a setback for one of the summer signings.

In France's defence, Dayot Upamecano, Maxence Lacroix, Pierre Kalulu and Andy Diouf were already called up, so Konaté's departure reduces the experience available in the back line.

Konaté returns to Real Madrid with a sprain as France lose starter

France's upcoming commitments

After the match against Turkey, the French side will travel to Brussels to face Belgium on 28 September, host Italy on 2 October and close the Nations League window against Belgium on 5 October in Saint‑Denis.