Mbappé absent against Belgium, Real Madrid keeps its striker

Kylian Mbappé will not take part in the clash scheduled for Monday against Belgium, after injuring his knee during the match against Turkey on Friday evening. The French striker left the international training camp to return to Madrid, where Real Madrid confirmed his absence without naming a replacement in the squad.

Medical diagnosis and prognosis

Examinations carried out on Saturday revealed a hyperextension of the posterior capsule of the left knee. The Spanish club did not specify the exact duration of the unavailability, but the local press remains optimistic. According to the Cope, the player should be back in two weeks, while other media mention a possible return within ten days.

Consequences for the French national team

Zinédine Zidane will have to do without his captain for the two matches scheduled against Belgium and Italy. The coach decided not to call up any additional player to the squad, but he named Ousmane Dembélé as the replacement for the captain armband in case of a starting role, Dembélé now holding the most caps with sixty‑eight call‑ups.

Impact on Real Madrid

Real Madrid issued reassuring news about Mbappé, stating that the club prefers not to take any risk with its striker. The new examinations should clarify the severity of the injury and the exact duration of his absence, but the first indications suggest a possible return as soon as the league resumes, without missing any match with the club.

In summary, Belgium will face a France deprived of its captain, while Real Madrid awaits the recovery of its leading scorer. The next Italian encounter for the French national team will also be played without Mbappé, confirming the extent of his omission for the remainder of the international break.