Kylian Mbappe Misses France Training Due to Flu Before Nations League Matches

Kylian Mbappe, the captain of the French national team and star forward for Real Madrid, missed group training at Clairefontaine after developing flu symptoms. The illness forced him indoors during practice ahead of France's upcoming UEFA Nations League games.

Impact on Team Preparations

The absence of Mbappe disrupted training at the team's base near Paris. Official reports confirmed that the 27-year-old was unable to join outdoor sessions, limiting his work to indoor activities only. This comes as an early challenge for new coach Zinedine Zidane, who recently took over following the 2026 World Cup.

New Leadership Under Zidane

This camp serves as Zidane's first major test managing Les Bleus. Despite a talented squad, missing the all-time leading World Cup goalscorer with 22 goals complicates tactical plans. Meanwhile, the rest of the squad continued outdoor drills, adapting to Zidane's style.

Tough Nations League Schedule Ahead

France faces a packed fixture list in the next two weeks:

• September 25: Away game vs Turkey
• September 28: Away game vs Belgium
• October 2: Home match against Italy
• October 5: Home match vs Belgium

These back-to-back fixtures will test the squad's depth, so medical staff are working hard to ensure Mbappe recovers quickly.

Recovery and Availability

Focus now shifts to how soon Mbappe can return to full training. As flu is a common seasonal illness, doctors expect him to rejoin once symptoms subside. Decisions on his starting status for the Turkey match will be made closer to kickoff.