Kylian Mbappé fitness doubts France Italy UEFA Nations League, Digi Mart USA News: Doubts have grown over whether Kylian Mbappé, the France captain, will take part in the upcoming UEFA Nations League clash against Italy. His relationship with manager Zinedine Zidane is reportedly going through a period of tension.
The Real Madrid striker was absent from France’s group training session on Wednesday, ahead of Thursday’s fifth-round Group Stage match against Italy. He skipped the group work and continued with treatment, which has raised questions about his fitness.
France traveled to Milan on Wednesday in preparation for the match. According to the French outlet Foot Mercato, the captain’s situation remains unclear, and there has been no official word on a fresh injury.
His participation will depend on what his physical condition shows in the coming hours.
The timing is difficult for France. Pierre Kalulu, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Marcus Thuram have already withdrawn from the squad, and the coaching staff is treating Mbappé’s situation with caution rather than risking him before his full fitness is confirmed.
Press reports have also described tension between Mbappé and Zidane, along with disagreements over his position on the pitch and a breakdown in communication between the two in recent weeks. Zidane is hoping to welcome back his captain, one of the most important attacking players in the France squad.
On the pitch, France enter the match with a strong start to the competition. They have collected 10 points from their first four rounds in Group One of League A, topping the standings with three wins, one draw and no defeats.
They opened with a 1-0 win over Turkey, with Mbappé scoring the winner, and repeated the scoreline against Belgium. A 1-1 draw with Italy followed, and they finished their four matches with a 4-1 win over Belgium.
Mbappé picked up a knee injury during the Turkey match, which was Zidane’s first game in charge of France. He scored the only goal in the 54th minute but damaged a tendon in his knee, and he was left out of the camp.
He returned to Madrid and missed the following three matches against Belgium, Italy and Belgium.
Zidane succeeded Didier Deschamps after France’s 2026 World Cup campaign ended. The former Real Madrid coach signed a four-year contract with the national team, with hopes of returning France to the top of world football.
Yet Zidane now faces a real test, as Mbappé’s availability against Italy will be closely watched as the manager seeks to maintain France’s strong start.
