Kylian Mbappe injured by poor Turkey pitch, France says

Kylian Mbappe will miss France’s Nations League meeting with Belgium after returning to Real Madrid for medical examinations and rehabilitation. His absence leaves Zinedine Zidane with a 22-man squad in Brussels, while the coach has decided against calling up a late replacement. Zidane is preparing changes to his attacking structure for Monday’s match at the King Baudouin Stadium.

Mbappe injured his left knee in Izmit while scoring France’s winning goal against Turkey on Friday. The medical staff identified the poor condition of the Kocaeli Stadium pitch as the main factor in the incident. Mbappe reportedly lost his balance on the surface before twisting the knee, prompting concern within the French camp about the playing conditions.

France won 1-0, with Mbappe providing the decisive goal before leaving for Spain instead of travelling to Belgium with his teammates. The medical team approved his immediate return to Madrid, where he will begin his rehabilitation with Real Madrid. Zidane must now reorganise his attack using the players already in the squad. New arrivals Andy Diouf and Lucas Da Cunha could make their first starts for the national team as part of the reshuffle.