Kylian Mbappé has reassured fans regarding a “knock on his ankle” sustained during France‘s 2-0 victory over Morocco in the World Cup quarterfinals on Thursday in Foxborough, Massachusetts, stating, “I’m all good.”
Mbappé received on-field treatment from the French team physio during the game at Gillette Stadium before being substituted in the 77th minute for Jean-Philippe Mateta.
As he exited the field, the 27-year-old waved to the crowd and showed no signs of significant discomfort. Later TV footage captured him on the bench with ice on his right foot.
“I’m fine. I got a little knock on the ankle, but it’s nothing serious. JP [Mateta] was in better shape to play the last 15 minutes,” Mbappé commented after the match.
“There’s no need for concern regarding Kylian’s ankle,” a source informed ESPN.
Following the match, Mbappé joined the celebration with fans on the pitch and continued the festivities in the team’s locker room, all while smiling.
France’s win against Morocco mirrors their previous semifinal victory by the same scoreline four years ago in Qatar. Mbappé shared insights into the team’s mindset heading into the match against a familiar opponent.
Mbappé is close friends with Morocco captain and former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Achraf Hakimi.
With six Moroccan players being born in France, there are strong ties among the members of both teams.
“This is strictly business. There are no emotions involved. I’m here to win, and he [Hakimi] is too,” Mbappé stated. “However, when I see him in the locker room, it will hit me since he is a very close friend.”
Despite missing a penalty in the first half, the France captain scored his eighth goal of the tournament, leveling him with Lionel Messi atop the scoring chart by firing a shot past Morocco’s keeper Yassine Bounou from the edge of the penalty area.
He also assisted Ousmane Dembélé‘s goal just six minutes later, marking his third assist of the tournament.
Mbappé has now recorded ten or more goal involvements in his last two World Cups (eight goals, two assists in 2022; eight goals, three assists in 2026), making him the first player to accomplish this feat since 1966.
His tally of 11 in 2026 is the highest for a single player since Gerd Müller in 1970, who had ten goals and three assists.
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France will face either Spain or Belgium in the semifinals in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday.
“We’re really happy. We understand that the only way to relax is by winning. But we know the next challenge will be tougher, and we’re prepared for anything,” Mbappé said. “We’ll recover well and tune in tomorrow to see who our opponent will be.”
Information from ESPN’s Global Sports Research contributed to this report.