Knee injury threatens to disrupt Mbappé’s season after France goal

Kylian Mbappé scored the only goal as France began Zinedine Zidane’s tenure with a 1-0 win over Türkiye on Friday, September 25, but the victory was overshadowed by a left-knee injury that forced the France captain off shortly after scoring, according to media reports.

Mbappé started on the left side of Zidane’s 4-3-3 formation and made the breakthrough in the 54th minute. After Turkey goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir failed to clear the ball, Michael Olise supplied Mbappé with a precise pass and the forward finished to put France ahead.

Mbappé did not celebrate the goal, immediately clutching his left knee. He attempted to continue but was replaced four minutes later by Désiré Doué. The Real Madrid forward then headed directly to the dressing room.

After the match, Zidane said Mbappé had hyperextended his left knee and could miss at least France’s next three matches, raising concerns over his availability for Real Madrid’s clash with Barcelona next month.

“I think he'll have to return (to Madrid),” Zidane told journalists.

“We won't take any risks. He hyperextended his knee when taking the shot. That's not exactly encouraging if he is to continue.”

The injury leaves the condition of one of football’s most prominent players under scrutiny ahead of the October 25 Clasico, with the extent of his recovery expected to determine whether he can return in time for the Spanish club season.

By Tamilla Hasanova