Kylian Mbappé's early substitution in France's World Cup semi-final victory over Morocco on December 14, 2022, sparked immediate concern. The star forward was replaced in the 67th minute after appearing to twist his ankle during a challenge.
Initial medical reports, confirmed by the French Football Federation (FFF), indicated that Mbappé's ankle did not suffer a fracture. The player underwent scans after the match, which revealed no structural damage, though the extent of any ligament involvement was not immediately detailed.
Mbappé himself downplayed the injury post-match, stating he felt 'a knock' but expected to be fit for the final. The FFF later confirmed he was 'fine' and would be assessed daily. He started the final against Argentina on December 18, 2022, scoring a hat-trick in a 3-3 draw before France lost on penalties.
No further updates on long-term effects have been reported as of July 2026. The incident remains a footnote in France's runner-up campaign.
