Mbappe to have ‘small niggle’ examined

PARIS: France coach Didier Deschamps said on Monday that Kylian Mbappe will undergo medical examinations on his right ankle when he joins up with his international teammates ahead of the latest round of 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The France captain sustained the knock at the end of Real Madrid’s 3-1 La Liga victory over Villarreal on Saturday, casting doubt over his availability for the national team’s upcoming qualifying matches against Azerbaijan and Iceland.

“I spoke with Kylian — he has a small niggle, but it’s not serious. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be here today,” Deschamps told reporters at the French team’s Clairefontaine base near Paris.

“We’ll take time with the medical staff to assess the situation and see how it develops.

“I don’t have any further information at this stage as the players will be arriving around 4 p.m. (1400 GMT), so we’ll take stock then as usual,” he added.

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is also due to undergo tests after coming off injured in the Reds’ 2-1 defeat at Chelsea on Saturday.

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Later, the French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed that Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola would be sent home from Clairefontaine due to a hamstring injury.

“After consulting with the French national team doctor… (Barcola) has been diagnosed with a chronic injury to his right hamstring, sustained during Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League match against Atalanta on September 17,” the FFF said.

The news adds to PSG’s injury woes, as Barcola joins fellow France forwards Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue — as well as clubmates Marquinhos, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Fabian Ruiz, and Joao Neves — on the treatment table.

Les Bleus sit top of their qualifying group with two wins from two. They host Azerbaijan on Friday at PSG’s Parc des Princes before travelling to Iceland three days later.

Separately,  Real Madrid began their La Liga season with a 1-0 win over Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in August.

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The only goal came just after half-time when Kylian Mbappe was fouled inside the box. The referee awarded a penalty. Mbappe calmly converted to give Real the lead.