France captain Kylian Mbappé faces doubts over his participation in the upcoming UEFA Nations League clash against Italy, amid fitness concerns and reports of tension with national team manager Zinedine Zidane.
Training absence raises concern over fitness
Mbappé, described as the Real Madrid striker, was absent from France’s group training session on Wednesday 11 November, held ahead of the fifth-round group-stage meeting with Italy in the UEFA Nations League.
France were due to travel to Milan on Wednesday 11 November to prepare for the match against Italy.
Mbappé skipped the group work and focused on treatment instead, and his absence from the session has increased doubts over his fitness.
French outlet Foot Mercato report that Mbappé’s situation remains unclear for now, with no official word on a fresh injury.
His participation against Italy is described as being in doubt, pending what the coming hours reveal about his physical condition.
A clearer picture on Mbappé’s involvement against Italy is expected to emerge once his condition is assessed over the coming hours.
Technical staff caution and injury background
France’s technical staff are treating Mbappé’s situation with caution rather than risking him before confirming his full fitness.
Mbappé is described as the Real Madrid captain and one of Zidane’s sharpest attacking weapons, and his availability against Italy is portrayed as a matter of huge interest as Zidane looks to protect France’s positive results and keep their strong start going.
Mbappé picked up a knee injury during the clash with Turkey, which marked Zidane’s first game in charge of France.
In that Turkey match, Mbappé struck the only goal in the 54th minute but damaged one of the tendons in his knee.
After the knee injury in the Turkey match, Zidane left Mbappé out of the camp and Mbappé returned to Madrid.
Mbappé missed the following three matches against Belgium, Italy and Belgium after the Turkey clash, and he missed a large chunk of Zidane’s first camp with France.
Reported tension with Zidane
Mbappé’s relationship with France manager Zidane is described as going through a state of tension.
Press reports have revealed tension in Mbappé’s relationship with Zidane, alongside disagreements over Mbappé’s position on the pitch and a breakdown in communication between the two in recent weeks.
Mbappé later returned to the centre of controversy over his role on the pitch and his relationship with Zidane.
Zidane is described as hoping to welcome back Mbappé, his captain and one of the most important attacking elements in the France ranks.
France’s strong Nations League start
France go into the Italy clash off the back of a strong start to this edition of the UEFA Nations League, having collected 10 points from their first four rounds in Group One of League A to top the standings.
France’s first four matches in this UEFA Nations League campaign consisted of three wins and a draw, with no defeats.
France opened their campaign with a 1-0 win over Turkey, in which Mbappé scored the winner.
France then recorded another 1-0 win over Belgium.
France’s third match in the campaign was a 1-1 draw with Italy.
France’s fourth match was a 4-1 win over Belgium.
France have already lost Pierre Kalulu, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Marcus Thuram to withdrawals.
Zidane succeeded Didier Deschamps at the helm of France after France’s 2026 World Cup campaign ended and Deschamps announced his departure.
Zidane, described as the former Real Madrid coach, began a new chapter with the France national team on a four-year deal.
Zidane’s appointment with France came with high hopes of returning France to the winner’s podium through a talented group blessed with experience and attacking firepower.
