Kylian Mbappé faces lengthy absence after Turkey injury

Kylian Mbappé will not play again during France’s current international gathering, and the injury sustained against Turkey could keep him out for an extended period. The Real Madrid forward has been diagnosed with a tendon lesion after leaving the game around the hour mark.

Mbappé scored France’s only goal in the 1-0 win on Friday, but felt pain in his left knee as he struck the ball. He took a few steps before stopping and was replaced. The match was Zinedine Zidane’s first in charge of France.

The French Football Federation has confirmed the tendon problem but has not given a recovery timetable. A high-level sports physiotherapist said the damage could involve the quadriceps tendon or the hamstrings, while also raising the possibility of the patellar tendon. The seriousness would depend on the grade of the injury, from a small tear to more significant tendon damage. Tendon injuries can take longer to heal than muscle injuries because the tissue has less blood supply. No further official detail on the duration has been provided, leaving the length of Mbappé’s absence undetermined.