Kylian Mbappe Injured After Scoring For France, Set To Leave Squad For Treatment

Kylian Mbappe’s landmark night for France ended on a worrying note as the captain limped off with a knee injury moments after scoring the only goal in a 1-0 Nations League victory over Turkey on Friday.

Mbappe struck in the 55th minute, firing a low shot past the Turkey defence after being set up by Michael Olise. The goal extended his record as France’s leading scorer to 67 international goals and appeared to have put the visitors firmly in control.

But the celebrations quickly turned into concern.

Just moments after finding the net, Mbappe sat down on the pitch and grimaced while rubbing the area around his left knee. He was unable to continue and was replaced by Désiré Doué.

France coach Zinedine Zidane said the team would not take any chances with its captain and confirmed that Mbappe would leave the national squad and return to Madrid for further treatment.

“No, it's not good. It's not good, unfortunately,” Zidane told French television. “He will have to go back. We will not take risks. He has extended his knee when he took the shot. It's not very encouraging.”

A France team official later said Mbappe had suffered a knee tendon injury, confirming that the Real Madrid forward would return to his club for treatment and further assessment.

The injury comes at an important stage of France’s Nations League campaign. The team is scheduled to travel to face Belgium on Monday, before hosting Italy on October 2 and Belgium again three days later at the Stade de France.

For France, the immediate priority will be determining the extent of Mbappe’s injury. For Real Madrid, his return to Spain means the club will now closely monitor his condition ahead of its upcoming fixtures.

Mbappe’s 67th goal had initially looked set to be the defining moment of the evening. Instead, his abrupt departure has left France and Madrid waiting for clearer news on the fitness of one of world football’s biggest stars.