Mbappé Ruled Out of France's Next Matches After Injury in Zidane's Debut

Zinédine Zidane, a legendary former player and successful club manager, was appointed as the new head coach of the France national football team. His arrival generated excitement among fans and players, many of whom view him as an icon, even for those who never saw him play, according to L'Équipe.

Zidane quickly began restructuring the coaching staff and made decisive choices regarding his vice-captains and team selection. These moves signaled his intent to put a personal stamp on the national squad before his first competitive match, as World News CNA noted.

As Zidane prepared for his debut, there was considerable media attention on his emotional state and the expectations surrounding his leadership, with ESPN FC reporting on the significance of the occasion for him personally. The match against Turkey in the UEFA Nations League was set for September 25, 2026, in İzmit, as detailed by CNN Brasil.

Zidane made bold lineup decisions, including starting Rayan Cherki and Adrien Truffert, which Le Monde described as a sign of a new era. The match itself was tightly contested. Kylian Mbappé scored the only goal, securing a 1-0 victory for France, as BBC and La Repubblica reported.

However, the win was overshadowed by Mbappé's injury. He was forced off the pitch with a knee problem immediately after scoring, raising doubts about his availability for upcoming matches. Franceinfo and Al Jazeera both highlighted the seriousness of the injury and its impact on Zidane's debut.

Statistically, Zidane became the first France coach since Aimé Jacquet to win his debut match, as L'Équipe pointed out.

France sits on three points in their Nations League group following the narrow victory over Turkey. Zidane's first match in charge is being seen as a qualified success, but the loss of Mbappé to injury is a significant concern for the team.

There is cautious optimism about the new era under Zidane, but uncertainty remains over the squad's attacking options if Mbappé is sidelined for long. The coaching changes and fresh player selections have set a new tone, but results in upcoming matches will be closely watched.

The main question now is how long Kylian Mbappé will be out with his knee injury and how France will adapt if he misses future matches, including a key match against Italy. Zidane's approach to squad rotation and tactical adjustments in Mbappé's absence will be under scrutiny as the Nations League campaign continues.