Mbappé Misses Training as Zidane Era Begins

Kylian Mbappé was the one notable absentee as France stepped up preparations at Clairefontaine on Tuesday, missing training with what are described as cold-like symptoms.

The France captain, freshly installed as Real Madrid’s new superstar, stayed back at the Château de Clairefontaine while the rest of the 23-man squad worked under Zinédine Zidane. It was only the second full day of the new manager’s reign with Les Bleus, and his first session without his marquee forward.

Mbappé had been present on Monday, taking part in Zidane’s opening workout and offering an early glimpse of how the new boss might shape his attack. By Tuesday, though, he was the only player not out on the pitches.

The timing is awkward. France open their UEFA Nations League campaign on Friday night against Turkiye, and Mbappé will be desperate to shake off the illness in time to feature. The schedule then tightens: two meetings with Belgium and a clash with Italy await during this international break.

Zidane’s plans for his captain are already under the microscope. After Mbappé became France’s all-time leading scorer at last summer’s FIFA World Cup, surpassing Olivier Giroud, every tactical tweak around him carries weight. According to RMC Sport, Zidane is considering a shift back to the left flank for Mbappé, a role that could free up Ousmane Dembélé to operate through the middle.

For now, though, the focus is simpler: get the captain healthy, get him back on the grass, and see how Zidane’s new France really looks with its biggest star in full flow.