France forward Kylian Mbappe scored the first goal of the Zinedine Zidane era, but the new France boss quickly had to replace his superstar after an apparent left knee injury during a game against Turkey in the UEFA Nations League on Friday, Sept. 25.
Les Bleus won the ball back from Turkey thanks to a high press in the 54th minute, with Michael Olise finding Mbappe on the wing. The Real Madrid superstar quickly finished with his right foot, but Mbappe was unable to celebrate because of discomfort, with his face wrenching into pain as he touched his left knee.
Zidane brought Liverpool winger Desire Doue into the contest in the 59th minute with Mbappe limping off past the touchline and getting medical attention from the training staff.
🚨🚨¡GOOOOL
DE MBAPPÉ! PERO SE ENCIENDEN LAS ALARMAS 🚨🚨 Kylian pone el 1-0, pero el jugador francés termina con una molestia tras el remate pic.twitter.com/XLFRLITb8F
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) September 25, 2026
It is unclear how severe the issue is, with speculation in the French press that the knee may have been injured as Mbappe planted to take the shot.
⚽️ BUUUUUUT DE MBAPPÉ ! 🇫🇷🔥
— TF1 (@TF1) September 25, 2026
Le capitaine des Bleus ouvre le score et délivre la France ! 🤩
🇹🇷 Turquie 0-1 France 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/QU1KfUv345
The goals was Mbappe's 67th for his country in 107 caps and comes after a summer in which he became the top scorer all-time at World Cup tournaments. He had 10 goals at the 2026 World Cup to earn the top-scorer prize and take his total to 22 goals at the tournament, more than any player male or female.
Mbappe also is France's leading scorer, and his absence could sour what was set to be a special homecoming for the national team. After a match Monday, Sept. 28 in Brussels against Belgium, France hosts Italy on Oct. 2 in the first home match since a fourth-place finish at the World Cup.
Real Madrid will hope he is fit for its return to play on Oct. 10 against Valencia.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kylian Mbappe goes out injured immediately after scoring goal for France
