Mbappe absence deepens reported tensions with Zidane before France’s Italy clash

Reports of a strained relationship between Zinedine Zidane and Kylian Mbappe have intensified after the Real Madrid forward was ruled out of France’s Nations League meeting with Italy.

Mbappe missed training before Thursday’s match in Milan, with reports in the French media attributing his absence to a hamstring muscle problem. His involvement against Turkey remains possible.

The situation has drawn attention because it comes during Zidane’s first camp as France manager, with disagreements reportedly emerging over Mbappe’s role and positioning. Zidane selected him on the left wing while using Ousmane Dembele as a central striker, a decision viewed as a change in Mbappe’s status within the attack.

Mbappe has preferred playing as a centre-forward in recent times, while Zidane had hoped to use him in France’s decisive Nations League fixtures against Italy and Turkey.

Hanouna claims of dressing-room tension

Cyril Hanouna, a television presenter on W9 and a prominent Paris Saint-Germain supporter, said Mbappe was reluctant to play because of his frequent injuries and lack of full fitness.

“It seems that, given the number of injuries, Kylian Mbappe does not want to play. He is not in his best form,” Hanouna said. “He does not care that much about the match against Italy because it is in the Nations League and is not an important game.”

He added: “With all these injuries and his lack of fitness, he does not want to play. I have reliable information. Zinedine Zidane will not be as kind to him as Didier Deschamps was.”

Hanouna then described an alleged exchange between the pair, saying: “Kylian Mbappe behaved like an arrogant star, saying: ‘Yes, there are a lot of injuries, I don’t know if I will play…’

“Zinedine Zidane replied: ‘Well, as you know, you will not play. Thank you, you will stay where you are.’”

Speaking on his programme Tout beau, tout neuf, Hanouna said Mbappe would deny the account but insisted he had received inside information.

“There were some clashes with Didier Deschamps, but he overlooked them to some extent. Zidane does not let things go,” he said. “You should know that things are extremely tense between Mbappe and the France team. He does not get on with his team-mates or with Zidane.”

Hanouna also praised Zidane’s approach, saying: “Well done, Zinedine Zidane, you have courage. He will not leave the team. Zidane told him: ‘You will not play this match, but if you behave well, you will play on Sunday.’”

France closing in on quarter-final place

France lead Nations League Group A with 10 points from four matches. Italy have seven, Belgium six and Turkey have no points.

A 1-1 draw in the first meeting between France and Italy included a mistake by Lucas Da Cunha which led to Italy’s equaliser.

France will qualify for the quarter-finals by avoiding defeat at San Siro, according to French network RMC, and would finish in the top two without needing to wait for the final round of fixtures.

Italy and Belgium are competing directly for the second qualification place and meet in Brussels on Sunday, meaning a point for France would also prevent their qualification hopes from becoming more complicated.