Zidane Reveals Mbappe Could Miss France’s Next Three Matches Due to Knee Injury

Mbappe’s goal helped France secure a win over Turkiye, but the forward could now face a spell on the sidelines. He picked up a problem with his left knee while scoring and was replaced shortly before the 60-minute mark.

France boss Zinedine Zidane later suggested that Mbappe may not be available for the team’s next three games. That would also raise doubts over whether he will be fit in time for the next El Clasico.

Talking about the latest Nations League clash, Mbappe started on the left side of France’s 4-3-3 setup under Zinedine Zidane, but it took him until the 54th minute to make the difference.

Even after scoring, Mbappe’s reaction immediately raised concerns among the fans. Instead of celebrating his goal, he grabbed his left knee and appeared to be in pain. He stayed on the pitch for a few more minutes before Zidane decided to replace him with Desire Doue in the 58th minute.

Mbappe also did not remain with his teammates after coming off, as he went straight down the tunnel towards the dressing room. This suggested that the French star was in serious pain and needed immediate attention from the team’s medical staff.

Speaking to the reporters after the Turkiye clash, Zinedine Zidane revealed the extent of Mbappe’s injury, saying the French star could now require weeks to fully recover from the knee problem.

"I think he'll have to return (to Madrid)," said France manager Zinedine Zidane after the match.

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

Besides France, Mbappe’s injury could prove to be a big problem for Real Madrid, as they are set to play some tough matches in the coming weeks. Their clash with Barcelona is one of the key matchups of La Liga which needs Mbappe in action. The latest injury is therefore a cause of concern for them, as challenging Barcelona without the French forward could prove to be a highly difficult task at Camp Nou.