Zidane won't call substitutes; France missing Mbappé, Italy, Belgium
Zinedine Zidane has announced that the French national team will have to face the next three Nations League matches – against Belgium on Monday, Italy on October 2 and Belgium again on October 5 – without Kylian Mbappé, who remains out due to injury and will not be replaced.
Mbappé's knee problem
The Real Madrid striker stopped yesterday, in the debut match of Zidane's tenure, after scoring the decisive goal in the 1‑0 win over Turkey. The knee problem emerged during the play and Mbappé had to leave the Bleus' training camp. Back in Madrid, medical examinations indicated a rest period of 10‑12 days.
Zidane had initially described the injury as a “minor nuisance”, but later reiterated the need not to take risks: “We do not want to make hasty decisions”. Therefore he confirmed that no replacement will be called up.
Kylian Mbappé out for Nations League, major setback for Real Madrid and Zinedine Zidane
Real Madrid has already announced that its captain will be available for the Clasico on October 25. The Spanish club has worked with the medical staff of the French federation in the hours following the injury.
According to the French Federation, the squad will remain composed of the same players already selected for the next three Nations League matches: Belgium on Monday, Italy on October 2 and Belgium again on October 5. The Bleus' lineup will therefore face the commitments without its all‑time top scorer.