Kylian Mbappé has sustained a knee injury during France’s 1-0 win against Turkiye in the UEFA Nations League and will be leaving the national team to return to Real Madrid. The goal he scored was his 67th for the French team, adding to his impressive tally after achieving the Golden Boot at the World Cup with 10 goals. He appeared to be in significant discomfort after taking a shot in the 54th minute and was substituted for Paris Saint-Germain’s Désiré Doué.
France’s coach, Zinedine Zidane, expressed concern about Mbappé’s condition, stating, “Things aren’t going well. I think he’ll be going back to Real Madrid. We’re not going to take any risks as he has developed hyperextension in his knee.” The French national team has confirmed that this injury will prevent him from participating in the remainder of the international fixtures.
While an MRI hasn’t been conducted yet to determine the full extent of the injury, it’s worth noting that Mbappé missed nine matches during the 2025-26 season due to various muscular and knee problems. Therefore, the French team is understandably cautious, especially since he is their all-time leading scorer.
In addition to Mbappé’s situation, other nations are experiencing injury woes in this extended international break, with German striker Kai Havertz returning to Arsenal and Netherlands’ Brian Brobbey also sidelined.
France has three critical matches upcoming in the Nations League, facing Belgium twice and Italy, which will be crucial for their standing in Group 1. Zidane, who is in his first international break after succeeding Didier Deschamps, will have to strategize without Mbappé, but he still has options like Doué, Bradley Barcola, and Ousmane Dembélé to fill the void. Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s schedule remains tight, with LaLiga fixtures on hold until October 10, giving hope that Mbappé’s injury may not be severe, but with significant Champions League games and El Clásico on the horizon, any missed time could present real complications.
Currently, Mbappé’s withdrawal is seen as a precautionary measure, but that assessment may change based on further evaluations.
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer fans as it underscores the precarious nature of player health and the impacts injuries can have on national teams during key tournaments. For fans, the potential absence of a superstar like Mbappé could reshape expectations not only for France but for Real Madrid in the intense October schedule ahead.
Source: www.cbssports.com
