Dembele captains France vs Belgium as injured Mbappe returns to Madrid
France winger Ousmane Dembele will wear the captain’s armband in the Nations League match against Belgium on Monday, September 28, 2026, after Kylian Mbappe left camp with a tendon injury in his left knee. Mbappe had scored the only goal in France’s 1-0 win over Turkey on Friday, September 25, but did not travel with the squad and flew back to Madrid to begin rehabilitation. The French Football Federation confirmed Mbappe’s absence, and L’Equipe reports that this will be Dembele’s first time captaining the national team.
For Nigerian football fans who follow European leagues, the injury raises questions about Mbappe’s availability for Real Madrid’s upcoming fixtures and any future friendlies involving France. Dembele’s new leadership role may affect his performance and could be worth watching as he continues his stint at Barcelona. The match itself offers a chance to see how France adapts without its star striker ahead of major tournaments.
Will you adjust your expectations for France’s performance in this match given Mbappe’s absence, or will you look to see how Dembele handles the captaincy on the pitch?