France left Turkey with three points, a captain’s goal and a new concern hanging over the camp. Kylian Mbappé will not travel on to Belgium after injuring his left knee in Friday’s 1-0 win over Turkey, leaving Zinédine Zidane with a 22-man squad for the rest of the international window.
The Real Madrid forward has been released to his club and departed the France team hotel on Saturday morning. France’s players and staff then flew from Turkey to Brussels at around 11.30am.
Quick facts
- Mbappé suffered a left-knee hyperextension against Turkey.
- He scored France’s winner in the 54th minute before going off.
- France will not call up a replacement, reducing the group to 22 players.
- Les Bleus play Belgium in Brussels on Monday at 8.45pm.
- Italy and Belgium will then visit the Stade de France on 2 and 5 October.
Mbappé was hurt at the moment he found the net in the 54th minute. Rather than celebrate, he began limping and then went down holding the back of his left knee, visibly in pain.
The France captain initially tried to continue but was eventually forced to leave the pitch for the dressing room. Zidane confirmed after the match that the situation required caution.
“Unfortunately, he is not doing well,” the France coach said. “We are not going to take any risks. He has hyperextended his knee.”
Zidane and his staff have chosen against reshaping the squad despite Mbappé’s absence. Florian Thauvin of Lens, Inter Milan forward Marcus Thuram, Bayer Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby and RB Leipzig attacker Christopher Nkunku were among the established names who could have returned.
There will be no first senior call-up either for Sunderland midfielder Enzo Le Fée or Paris FC’s Pablo Pagis, both of whom had been pre-selected for this camp. France now turn immediately to Monday’s meeting with Belgium before the October home fixtures.
