Kylian Mbappe has left the France camp with ankle inflammation and returned to Madrid for tests, raising concerns ahead of Real Madrid’s upcoming fixtures.
Kylian Mbappe has withdrawn from the France squad after reporting renewed ankle discomfort following the 4-0 win over Ukraine. He scored twice in that match, securing France’s place at the 2026 World Cup and reaching the 400-goal milestone in his career. Despite completing the game, his ankle was swollen on Friday morning.
The France Football Federation confirmed he would return to Madrid for assessment. The decision came after consultations involving Didier Deschamps, France’s medical team and Real Madrid’s staff. There are no immediate fears of a serious injury, but both camps prefer caution.
Mbappe has struggled with recurring inflammation in his right ankle for weeks. He previously missed France’s second October fixture due to the same problem. Even though he played the full match against Ukraine, the pain returned shortly after.
Real Madrid want to evaluate him directly to prevent complications. Los Blancos face Elche on November 23rd and Olympiacos away in the Champions League on November 26th. His involvement will depend on the results of the scans.
Mbappe was not the only player to leave the national team camp. Eduardo Camavinga has also returned to Madrid after a week without training due to a minor hamstring issue. Manu Kone has been released as well, but for suspension rather than injury.
Deschamps will now adapt his plans for the final qualifier against Azerbaijan. France have already secured top spot in their group, so the match gives the coach a chance to rotate the squad and offer minutes to emerging players.
Hugo Ekitike stands to benefit most from Mbappe’s absence. He scored and assisted against Ukraine after coming off the bench and continues to grow in confidence. Sunday’s match could give him another opportunity to impress.
Camavinga’s absence leaves France lighter in midfield, though Khephren Thuram has already been called up as cover. Deschamps has hinted at using the upcoming match to test depth and experiment with combinations.
Against Ukraine, Mbappe’s movement, composure and finishing were decisive. Ekitike also caught attention with his sharp cameo from the bench. Camavinga played no part due to injury but remains key for both France and Madrid.
The injuries overshadowed what should have been a perfect night. France secured qualification, extended their strong run and showed attacking fluency. Yet the withdrawals created uncertainty heading into the final match of the break.
France travel to Baku to face Azerbaijan without Mbappe, Camavinga and Kone. With their qualification confirmed, the focus will be on squad rotation and performance evaluation. Deschamps is expected to give opportunities to younger players pushing for regular involvement.
Madrid await the results of Mbappe’s tests and hope he will return quickly. Early indications suggest the issue is minor, and both Mbappe and Camavinga could be available once domestic action resumes.
