Mbappe ruled out of France Nations League ties with left knee tendon injury
Kylian Mbappe has been ruled out of the rest of France’s international camp after the French Football Federation confirmed a tendon injury to his left knee. The 27-year-old will return to Madrid for treatment and will miss Nations League meetings with Belgium and Italy.
France said the captain damaged his knee while scoring the decisive goal in Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Turkey at Kocaeli Stadium. The strike was Zinedine Zidane’s first victory in his first match as France coach.
Mbappe injury ends camp early
The federation confirmed that Mbappe’s injury occurred during the move that settled the match, adding that he will head back to the Spanish capital for medical care.
Zidane made clear that France will not take any chances with their leading forward, particularly with a demanding run of Real Madrid fixtures ahead.
“He is not well and the early signs are not good,” Zidane said. “He stretched his knee as he shot, so it is not encouraging for him to continue. He needs to go home; we will not risk him.”
How the injury unfolded
- Mbappe scored in the 67th minute, striking with his right foot to register his 67th France goal and put the visitors ahead against Turkey.
- His left leg appeared to catch awkwardly as he completed the shot on a pitch that had drawn criticism during the game.
- The forward began to celebrate but quickly grabbed his knee, visibly in pain, before going down on the turf.
- He later left the field limping, with the win immediately tempered by concern over France’s captain.
What happens next
Mbappe will not be available for the upcoming Belgium and Italy matches as Zidane continues his first camp in charge. France are also due to host Italy and Belgium at the Stade de France in early October.
Zidane must now decide whether to bring in a replacement as France prepare for a difficult Nations League schedule without their main goalscorer and on-field leader.
