Mbappe Subbed Off With Knee Injury After Scoring in Zidane’s France Debut

Kylian Mbappe was withdrawn just five minutes after giving France the lead against Turkiye, casting immediate doubt over Zinedine Zidane’s first match in charge of Les Bleus. The captain struck in the 54th minute, converting from the center of the box after a pass from Michael Olise, but was replaced by Desire Doue in the 59th minute of the UEFA Nations League Group A1 fixture in Kocaeli.

Mbappe remained stationary after scoring rather than celebrating with teammates, who quickly gathered around him as he clutched his left knee in apparent discomfort. Though he initially stayed on his feet, the distress was evident enough that the French bench began preparing a substitution well before the change was officially made.

Medical examinations are expected to determine the full extent of the issue, with France hopeful the diagnosis will allow their captain to remain available for the remainder of the Nations League window.

Zidane Already Contending With Depleted Squad

Losing Mbappe to injury represents a fresh setback for Zidane mere days into his tenure, after his squad had already been thinned out before a ball was kicked. Ibrahima Konate withdrew from the group during training this week due to right knee pain, prompting the call-up of Leny Yoro for his first senior selection.

Zidane had also omitted both Aurelien Tchouameni and Marcus Thuram as a precaution when naming his squad, opting not to risk two players still working their way back to full fitness.

Zidane will be desperate for positive news regarding Mbappe given how thin his options already appear on paper. The coming hours should clarify whether this is a scare France can absorb or another blow in a camp that has already endured more than its share.

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