Mbappé’s Training Absence Raises Questions Ahead of World Cup Qualifiers
October 26, 2023
Teh French national team’s training camp in Clairefontaine saw a notable absence on Tuesday evening as captain Kylian Mbappé did not participate in the scheduled session. While the superstar forward did make a brief appearance for a photo prospect and to sign autographs for the enthusiastic supporters gathered, his continued absence from team drills is a point of concern for fans and analysts alike.
Mbappé, the prolific Real Madrid striker, sustained an ankle injury during Saturday’s match against Villarreal, exiting the field after scoring the team’s third goal in their 3-1 victory. While initial assessments from the French team’s medical staff on Monday suggested they were not overly worried, his participation in Wednesday’s training session will be closely monitored. The upcoming fixtures are crucial, with France set to face Azerbaijan on Friday at the Parc des Princes in a 2026 world Cup qualifying match, followed by a clash with Iceland the following Monday.
Mbappé wasn’t the only key player sidelined from Tuesday’s training. Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté also remained in treatment, having suffered a quadriceps injury over the weekend during his team’s game against Chelsea. Updates on both players are expected in the coming hours, which will provide further clarity on their availability for the vital qualifying encounter against azerbaijan. The team’s depth will be tested if these absences extend.
Akliouche Shortens Session Amidst Other concerns
Adding to the day’s developments, Maghnes Akliouche, who was called up on Monday to replace the unavailable Bradley Barcola (released to PSG), arrived with a smile at the Pibarot stadium. The Lens midfielder’s last call-up to the senior French squad was in June 2019, making his return a significant moment.
Tuesday’s training session was observed by players from the france Espoirs (U21) team, including Warren Zaïre-Emery, who was not selected for the senior squad by manager didier Deschamps.The session concluded with a practice match on a reduced pitch, notably without Akliouche.
Akliouche appeared visibly uncomfortable with a lower back issue following the warm-up and completed his training separately, focusing on sprints with physical trainer Cyril Moine before returning indoors. In a separate incident during the practice match,Adrien Rabiot and Théo Hernandez both took knocks to their ankles. While they remained on the ground for a couple of minutes, they were able to get up, suggesting that, a priori, the injuries are not serious.
The French squad is scheduled to train again on Wednesday evening. Two players will also participate in a press conference at 11:30 a.m., with the French Football Federation (FFF) expected to announce their identities shortly. The team’s medical updates and player availability will be crucial as they prepare for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
