Kylian Mbappé faces time out with left-knee tendon injury

Kylian Mbappé has left France duty early after suffering a tendon injury to his left knee. Zinedine Zidane confirmed the diagnosis after France’s win in Turkey, saying the forward would return to Madrid and that no risk would be taken with his recovery.

Mbappé was injured while scoring the only goal in the 1-0 victory, finding the net in the 54th minute. The 27-year-old had been used on the left side in Zidane’s first match as France coach, with Ousmane Dembélé operating centrally. The injury occurred as Mbappé finished with his right foot and his opposite knee took the strain.

The length of his absence is not yet known. Real Madrid’s medical staff will assess him, while the international break gives him around two weeks before club action resumes on 10 October with Villarreal’s visit in La Liga. That schedule creates a short window for determining whether he can return in time.

France will also have to adjust its attack for the next Nations League fixtures against Belgium and Italy. Désiré Doué and Bradley Barcola, who came on against Turkey, are positioned to receive more playing time while Mbappé is unavailable.