Mbappé exits France squad with knee hyperextension as MRI results pending
The French national team has withdrawn its all-time leading goal scorer from the UEFA Nations League campaign, citing precautionary measures ahead of an upcoming medical scan.
Kylian Mbappé has departed the French national team to return to Real Madrid following a knee hyperextension sustained during a 1–0 victory over Türkiye in the UEFA Nations League. The forward, who scored the decisive goal in the 54th minute, was substituted in the 57th minute and will miss the remainder of the international break while awaiting MRI results to determine the full severity of the injury.
France manager Zinedine Zidane described the situation as "not exactly encouraging," stating that the team would not take risks with their star player. Zidane noted that Mbappé was visibly in pain after taking a shot and that the precautionary withdrawal was necessary given the uncertainty surrounding the knee condition. The French Football Federation confirmed that the injury will force Mbappé to sit out upcoming matches against Belgium and Italy.
The withdrawal marks a significant early challenge for Zidane, who is in his first international break after succeeding Didier Deschamps as France manager. The incident also raises questions for Real Madrid, where Mbappé has already missed nine matches during the 2025–26 season due to various muscular and knee issues. With the club’s next LaLiga fixture scheduled for 10 October, the timing of the injury could have implications for a month that includes Champions League fixtures and a match against Barcelona.
Mbappé’s goal against Türkiye was his 67th for France, adding to a recent World Cup campaign where he scored 10 goals to win the Golden Boot. His absence leaves Zidane with a forward line including Désiré Doué, Bradley Barcola, and Ousmane Dembélé for the remaining Group 1 matches. The extended international break has already seen other high-profile withdrawals, including German striker Kai Havertz and Dutch forward Brian Brobbey.
While the current withdrawal is treated as a precaution, the situation may change depending on the medical findings. The French team will continue to monitor Mbappé’s condition as he undergoes further assessment in Madrid, with the full extent of the knee hyperextension remaining unknown until the MRI is conducted.
