The French national team, Les Bleus, is set to face a series of upcoming matches without star player Kylian Mbappé, who suffered an injury during a recent game against Turkey. On September 26, the Real Madrid medical team diagnosed Mbappé with a hyperextension of the posterior capsule in his left knee. As a result, he has been ruled out of the team's next three matches. The injury occurred on September 25, when Mbappé scored a goal in a 1-0 win over Turkey in the Nations League.
The swift diagnosis and relatively short expected recovery time have raised eyebrows, with some questioning the severity of Mbappé's injury and his commitment to the France team. This is not the first time Mbappé's absence has sparked controversy. In October 2024, he was not selected for the team despite being fit again after a biceps femoris injury, with former coach Didier Deschamps leaving him out of the squad. Mbappé was later spotted attending a match in Sweden.
The current situation has drawn parallels with previous instances where Mbappé's absence from the team has raised questions. In 2025, a minor ankle issue led to him missing a trip to Iceland, and his swift return to training was criticized by Jérôme Rothen. The following month, Mbappé missed a match against Azerbaijan, despite being declared fit by Real Madrid shortly after. The recurring doubts about his injuries and availability have become a point of contention.
The French team's coaching staff, led by Zinédine Zidane, attributes Mbappé's injury to the condition of the Kocaeli stadium pitch. However, the Real Madrid diagnosis and expected quick recovery have fueled skepticism. The controversy has drawn comments from sports personalities, including Pierre Ménès, who defended Mbappé on YouTube, calling it "scandalous" to question the nature of his injury.
Mbappé's absence will be felt by the French team in their upcoming Nations League matches against Belgium, Italy, and Belgium again, as well as a November trip to Italy and a home match against Turkey. The team will have to cope without their star player during this period. Les Bleus are set to face Belgium on September 28, followed by a home match against Italy on October 2.
The French team's schedule will continue with a home match against Belgium on October 5, and then a trip to Italy on November 12. They will conclude their Nations League group stage with a home match against Turkey on November 15. The team's performance in these matches will be closely watched, particularly in light of Mbappé's absence.
As the controversy surrounding Mbappé's injury continues, the focus will be on his return to the team and the impact of his absence on Les Bleus' performance. With key matches ahead, the team will need to adapt and find a way to overcome the challenge of playing without their star player. The situation will be closely monitored by fans and pundits alike.
Key points
- The French national team's upcoming matches without Kylian Mbappé have raised concerns about the team's performance and Mbappé's commitment to the team.
- Mbappé's injury and expected short recovery time have sparked controversy and doubts about his availability.
- The situation has drawn parallels with previous instances where Mbappé's absence from the team has raised questions about his injuries and commitment.
