France coach Zinédine Zidane is expected to start young Paris Saint-Germain attacker Désiré Doué in place of injured captain Kylian Mbappé in tonight's Ligue des Nations match against Belgium in Brussels. Mbappé suffered a left knee injury during Saturday's 0-1 win over Turkey, scoring the only goal of the game. As a result, he will miss the upcoming matches against Italy and a second encounter with the Red Devils.
According to reports from RMC Sport, Zidane and his staff have decided not to call up another player to replace Mbappé. Instead, they will rely on Doué, who has already gained some experience with the national team. Doué came on as a substitute in the 59th minute against Turkey, replacing the injured Mbappé. The 20-year-old has been in impressive form, earning the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award for the past two seasons.
One possible tactical approach being considered by Zidane is to deploy Doué on the left flank, alongside Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise, with Bradley Barcola leading the line. This formation would allow France to maintain their attacking pace despite Mbappé's absence. Dembélé is likely to take over as captain, with Zidane reportedly keen to utilize a number of players, including Rayan Cherki, rather than identifying a direct replacement for Mbappé.
Doué's rapid rise to prominence has been marked by his success in Ligue 1. The Rennes youth academy graduate joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2022 and has since become a key player for the club. His selection ahead of other players is seen as a vote of confidence in his abilities. Zidane's decision to start Doué will be closely watched, as France look to secure a positive result against Belgium.
The match against Belgium is scheduled to kick off at 20:45 local time. France will be looking to build on their recent form, with Zidane seeking to make a positive impact in his first major tournament as coach. The absence of Mbappé will undoubtedly be felt, but Doué's inclusion offers an opportunity for the young player to showcase his skills on the international stage.
In related news, Cristiano Ronaldo recently considered retiring from international football after Portugal's World Cup campaign, but ultimately decided to continue playing. Meanwhile, the Ballon d'Or award is set to be presented soon, with Mbappé and Lamine Yamal among the favorites.
Zidane's team selection for the Belgium match will be closely scrutinized, as France seek to navigate the challenges of the Ligue des Nations. With Doué set to start, the focus will be on how he performs in a high-pressure match against a top-quality opponent.
Key points
- France coach Zidane to start Désiré Doué against Belgium in place of injured Mbappé
- Doué has been in impressive form, earning the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award for the past two seasons
- The match against Belgium is scheduled to kick off at 20:45 local time
