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Kylian Mbappe Misses France Training Due to Flu Ahead of Nations League Matches

Kylian Mbappe, the captain of France and forward for Real Madrid, missed training at the national team's Clairefontaine base after developing flu symptoms. This setback comes just before France's demanding UEFA Nations League fixtures.

Training Disruption at Clairefontaine

The flu forced Mbappe to stay indoors during Tuesday’s session, preventing him from joining his teammates on the pitch. Official reports stated that while the illness was minor, it kept him from outdoor drills, creating an early challenge for new head coach Zinedine Zidane. The squad is preparing for consecutive away matches against Turkey and Belgium.

A New Phase Under Zidane

This camp marks Zidane's first major test since taking over Les Bleus following the 2026 World Cup. Although the French squad boasts a wealth of talent, the absence of their top scorer—Mbappe, who holds the record with 22 World Cup goals—temporarily complicates tactical planning. Meanwhile, the rest of the players continued adapting to Zidane’s coaching style during outdoor training.

Upcoming Challenging Schedule

France faces a tight fixture list in the next two weeks. The sequence starts with an away match in Turkey on September 25, followed by a trip to Belgium on September 28. Then they return home to face Italy on October 2 and Belgium again on October 5. With four intense games in quick succession, the medical staff are closely monitoring Mbappe’s recovery to ensure he can participate.

Focus on Mbappe’s Recovery

Attention now shifts to how quickly the captain recovers as the team prepares to leave Clairefontaine. Since flu is common and usually short-lived, medical personnel expect him to resume full training once symptoms subside. The decision on whether Mbappe will start in Turkey or be rested will come closer to the match day.

UEFA Nations League Schedule:

  • Turkey vs France: September 25, 2026 - 21:45
  • France vs Italy: October 2, 2026
  • Belgium vs France: September 28, 2026
  • France vs Belgium: October 5, 2026

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