Star forward Kylian Mbappé has been diagnosed with flu-like symptoms, causing him to miss a pivotal training session with the French national football team. This marks the second training session the 27-year-old striker has been absent from under the guidance of newly appointed coach Zinedine Zidane, as the squad intensifies its preparations for the upcoming UEFA Nations League. The French Football Federation (FFF) officially confirmed Mbappé’s condition on September 22nd.
Despite his illness, the Real Madrid striker remains present at the French training camp. However, his teammates are continuing their preparations as scheduled, proceeding with the vital sessions under the leadership of the former Real Madrid manager, Zidane. These training sessions are specifically geared towards the demanding UEFA Nations League campaign. France is slated to play Turkey in Kocaeli on September 26th. Following this initial fixture, the team is scheduled to return to France to host Belgium, before traveling for another away match against Italy during the International Match Day period organized by the International Football Federation (FIFA).
Mbappé’s health has quickly become a primary concern for Coach Zidane since the 54-year-old assumed control of the French national team. Zidane took over from Didier Deschamps, who resigned after leading the team to a fourth-place finish in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The new coach explicitly regards Mbappé, a former Paris Saint-Germain player and now a Real Madrid star, as an indispensable and key striker for the French national squad. His absence is particularly significant given his instrumental contributions, including helping France secure victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup and guiding them to the final once again in 2022. During the initial gathering of the French national team last week, Coach Zidane publicly affirmed that the 27-year-old striker would retain his captaincy, further emphasizing his pivotal role and status as France’s most prominent player for the foreseeable future.
