Kylian Mbappe was substituted just five minutes after scoring a goal for France in their UEFA Nations League match against Turkiye, raising concerns among fans during Zinedine Zidane’s first game as head coach. Mbappe opened the scoring in the 54th minute with a goal following a pass from Michael Olise but was replaced by Desire Doue in the 59th minute of the match in Kocaeli.
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Following his goal, Mbappe appeared to be in some discomfort, grabbing at his left knee as his teammates approached to check on him. Although he initially remained on his feet, the visible pain prompted the France bench to prepare for his substitution ahead of the official decision.
Mbappe is scheduled for medical examinations later to assess the severity of the injury, as France hopes for a favorable diagnosis that will allow their captain to continue participating in the Nations League window.
This incident marks another setback for Zidane, who is already dealing with a depleted squad. Ibrahima Konate was withdrawn from training earlier this week due to knee pain, leading to Leny Yoro's first senior call-up as a replacement. Additionally, Zidane chose to exclude Aurelien Tchouameni and Marcus Thuram from the squad as a precaution due to their ongoing recovery from fitness issues.
The situation regarding Mbappe is crucial for Zidane, given the limited options available in his squad. Updates in the coming hours will determine whether this injury will be a minor hurdle or a significant issue for the team.