Mbappé misses France training with flu-like symptoms

Kylian Mbappé missed France's training session at Clairefontaine on Wednesday because of flu-like symptoms. The Real Madrid forward, who joined the national team camp on Monday, did not take part in the session led by Zinedine Zidane and is now resting, leaving his availability for Friday's Nations League opener against Turkey in Izmir uncertain.

• Mbappé did not train on Wednesday due to flu-like symptoms.
• The France captain also sat out Tuesday's session after playing the Madrid derby a day earlier.
• Zidane worked with the other 22 call-ups in a session open to the public.
• France opens its Nations League group A campaign against Turkey on Friday.
• The French Football Federation has not set a return date for the striker.

Flu-like symptoms and rest for the France captain

The French Football Federation said the striker is dealing with flu-like symptoms and has been told to rest. The medical update did not specify how many days he will be out or when he might return to full training, which complicates Zidane's planning ahead of the team's group A opener.

This is not the first session he has missed since joining the squad. Mbappé also stayed away on Tuesday, although only 12 players worked that day and his absence was attributed to workload following the Madrid derby played the previous evening. Now the issue is medical, and France are taking a cautious approach.

Doubt for France's Nations League debut

The main question is whether Mbappé will be fit to face Turkey on Friday. The match in Izmir marks the start of the Nations League group stage for France, the current world champions and one of the tournament's leading contenders.

Mbappé is resting in bed, according to the medical update released by the French Football Federation.

Within Zidane's setup, the Real Madrid forward is a central figure in attack and serves as captain. Losing him for the first match would be a significant setback for a squad facing a demanding schedule over the coming days.

France's schedule after the Turkey match

After the game in Izmir, France will play three more Nations League fixtures. Zidane's side visits Belgium in Brussels on September 28, then hosts Italy in Saint-Denis on October 2 and Belgium again on October 5.

The congested calendar forces Zidane to manage his players' workloads carefully. With Mbappé, the priority is for him to recover from the illness without setbacks and return as soon as possible for the rest of the international window.

Rest of the squad trains normally at Clairefontaine

The other 22 players completed the preparatory session under the coach. Before the training open to the public, they signed autographs and posed for photos with fans at the national team's base.

Mbappé's absence from the group contrasted with the relaxed mood among the rest of the internationals, who continued their usual routine while doubts remained over their captain.

Mbappé, key piece in Zidane's France project

Since taking charge, Zidane has built his France side around Mbappé as one of its main pillars. The forward, also central to Real Madrid's plans, arrived for this international window aiming to lead France in the Nations League and strengthen the team ahead of upcoming challenges.

Frequently asked questions about Mbappé's absence from France training