Madrid received Kylian Mbappé back from international duty with the concern that followed him from France’s opening night of the 2026/27 Nations League. Tests on Saturday confirmed that the Real Madrid forward has suffered hyperextension of the posterior capsule in his left knee, an injury sustained while deciding Friday’s 1-0 win over Turkey.
The club said its medical department had examined the player and diagnosed the problem in the left knee, adding that his recovery would be monitored. No timetable for a return was included in the statement.
Mbappé had scored the only goal against Turkey eight minutes into the second half, finishing with his right foot from inside the penalty area. The moment brought an immediate change in mood: he showed discomfort in the same knee after scoring, limped away from the play and received treatment before leaving the pitch five minutes later. Désiré Doué replaced him in the 58th minute.
A shortened France stay
France had begun their Nations League campaign with a narrow victory, but Mbappé’s exit quickly became the central issue of the evening. Zidane later described the situation as far from encouraging, and the French Football Federation subsequently removed the striker from the squad.
His knee injury rules him out of France’s next two Nations League fixtures: Belgium on Monday and Italy on Friday. For Real Madrid, the focus now turns to the medical follow-up in the Spanish capital, with their leading forward beginning a period of recovery just as the international window continues across Europe.
