The international break has only reached its halfway point, but some of Europe’s biggest clubs are already anxiously waiting for players to return.
Kylian Mbappé, Raphinha, Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo, Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala, Martin Ødegaard and Patrick Dorgu are among the high-profile players to experience injuries or fitness problems during the September–October international window.
Barcelona defender Eric García, Sunderland centre-back Daniel Ballard and Aston Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki have also been affected, although not every issue was directly caused by international action.
With another round of national-team fixtures still to be played, managers will be hoping their remaining players return fit ahead of a congested period of domestic and European football.
International-Break Injury List
| Player | Club | Reported problem | Current situation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kylian Mbappé | Real Madrid | Left-knee hyperextension | Recovering in Madrid |
| Raphinha | Barcelona | Muscular oedema in right thigh | Released by Brazil |
| Alexander Isak | Liverpool | Minor thigh problem | Returned from Sweden duty |
| Cody Gakpo | Liverpool | Ankle injury | Awaiting club assessment |
| Kai Havertz | Arsenal | Muscle strain | Returned from Germany duty |
| Jamal Musiala | Bayern Munich | Torn muscle fibre in right thigh | Undergoing rehabilitation |
| Martin Ødegaard | Arsenal | Ankle knock | Initial X-ray showed no serious damage |
| Patrick Dorgu | Manchester United | Suspected hamstring problem | Returned from Denmark duty |
| Eric García | Barcelona | Left-knee discomfort | Withdrawn from Spain squad |
| Daniel Ballard | Sunderland | Hamstring injury | Returned from Northern Ireland duty |
| Zion Suzuki | Aston Villa | Rib problem | Returned to Japan training |
Recovery times remain subject to scans and assessments by each player’s club.
Mbappé Injury Causes Real Madrid Concern
Mbappé suffered a knee injury while representing France against Turkey. Real Madrid later confirmed that medical tests had identified a hyperextension of the posterior capsule in his left knee.
Reports suggest the forward may require approximately 10 to 12 days to recover. That creates uncertainty over his availability for Real Madrid’s first match after the international break against Villarreal.
The injury is not currently expected to become a long-term absence, but Real Madrid are unlikely to take unnecessary risks with one of their most influential attackers. Even if Mbappé receives medical clearance, limited training could mean starting on the bench or playing reduced minutes.
Liverpool Monitor Isak and Gakpo
Liverpool have been hit by two significant attacking concerns.
Alexander Isak scored during Sweden’s victory over Romania but subsequently reported discomfort in his thigh. Sweden described the problem as minor, but the striker left camp and returned to Liverpool rather than risk making the injury worse.
Cody Gakpo’s situation could be more worrying. The Netherlands forward was forced off after only 17 minutes against Serbia following a strong challenge from Saša Lukić.
Gakpo attempted to continue before signalling that he could no longer play. He subsequently left the Netherlands squad with an ankle injury and required further assessment.
Losing both forwards would reduce Liverpool’s ability to rotate its attack. Gakpo can operate across several positions, while Isak offers movement, pace and finishing through the middle.
Their possible absence could force Liverpool to change formation or place a heavier workload on the remaining attackers immediately after the break.
Arsenal Sweat Over Havertz and Ødegaard
Kai Havertz suffered a muscle strain during Germany’s Nations League match against the Netherlands. He was removed during the first half and returned to Arsenal for further examinations.
Initial reports suggested that the forward could miss several weeks, although Arsenal must complete its own assessment before confirming a recovery period.
Martin Ødegaard, meanwhile, sustained an ankle injury following a late challenge during Norway’s defeat to Portugal. An X-ray reportedly showed no serious damage, with the pain already beginning to reduce.
The possibility of losing both players would be particularly concerning for Arsenal. Ødegaard controls the team’s creative rhythm, while Havertz provides tactical flexibility as a striker or attacking midfielder.
Without them, Arsenal could be forced to rely more heavily on its wider players while making changes to its pressing structure and build-up play.
Musiala Set for Spell on the Sidelines
Jamal Musiala suffered a torn muscle fibre in his right thigh during the warm-up before Germany faced the Netherlands.
The Bayern Munich midfielder withdrew from the national-team camp and returned to his club to begin rehabilitation. Reports have suggested a possible absence of three to four weeks.
Musiala’s injury removes one of Bayern’s most effective ball carriers and creative players. His ability to receive possession between defensive lines is difficult to replace directly.
Bayern may need to distribute his creative responsibilities across several players while carefully managing his rehabilitation to avoid a recurrence.
Barcelona Lose Raphinha and Eric García
Raphinha was released from Brazil duty after tests detected a small muscular oedema at the back of his right thigh.
The Brazilian Football Confederation confirmed that the Barcelona winger would miss the friendly against India and return to his club for treatment.
The problem is currently considered minor, but Barcelona will assess whether he can safely return for its next LaLiga fixture.
Eric García also returned to Barcelona after experiencing discomfort in his left knee during Spain’s warm-up before facing England. The issue was described as a minor overload, but Spain decided against risking the defender and called up Robin Le Normand as his replacement.
The two fitness concerns could limit Barcelona’s rotation options in both attack and defence.
Dorgu and Ballard Suffer Hamstring Concerns
Patrick Dorgu lasted only 31 minutes of Denmark’s victory over Wales before appearing to feel the back of his thigh.
Denmark coach Brian Riemer confirmed that Dorgu had suffered an injury and would return to Manchester United for assessment. A hamstring issue is suspected, although a final diagnosis and recovery period have not been announced.
Daniel Ballard has also returned to Sunderland after suffering a hamstring problem during Northern Ireland’s victory over Georgia.
The centre-back had played every minute of Sunderland’s opening five Premier League matches, making his possible absence a significant defensive concern.
Was Zion Suzuki Injured on International Duty?
Zion Suzuki’s situation is slightly different from many of the other players pictured.
The Aston Villa goalkeeper reportedly arrived at Japan’s camp carrying a rib problem sustained while with his club. He trained separately and missed the friendly against Uruguay before later returning to full training.
His inclusion on an international-break injury list is understandable, but the injury should not be described as one he suffered while playing for Japan.
How Will These Injuries Affect Club Football?
Reduced squad depth
Clubs competing across domestic leagues, cups and European competitions require regular rotation. Injuries to several players in the same position can quickly expose a lack of depth.
Liverpool’s concerns over Isak and Gakpo and Arsenal’s problems involving Havertz and Ødegaard are particularly damaging because they affect multiple parts of their attacking systems.
Tactical changes
Managers may have to alter formations when key players are unavailable.
Arsenal could lose creativity between the lines without Ødegaard, Liverpool may lack attacking flexibility without Gakpo, and Bayern will need to replace Musiala’s dribbling and chance creation.
These are not simple one-for-one substitutions. An injury to a tactically important player can change how the entire team builds attacks, presses and defends transitions.
Players may return without being match-ready
A player can pass a medical assessment without being ready to start immediately. Reduced training, travel fatigue and time spent recovering may result in limited minutes during the first match back.
Managers could use some returning internationals from the bench or rest them completely to prevent minor problems from becoming longer absences.
Greater pressure on available players
Every injury places additional responsibility on the remaining squad. Those players may be required to start several matches in quick succession, increasing fatigue and potentially creating further fitness problems.
Academy players and fringe members of the squad could therefore receive unexpected opportunities.
Impact on Fantasy Football and betting decisions
Fantasy managers should avoid making early transfers based only on initial injury reports. Club press conferences, training photos and official medical updates will provide a clearer indication of availability closer to the gameweek deadline.
Bettors should also check confirmed line-ups before placing wagers. The absence of a leading scorer, goalkeeper or creative midfielder can significantly affect goal markets, match results and player-specific selections.
Are International Breaks Causing Too Many Injuries?
The growing injury list will renew debate about international scheduling, player workload and communication between clubs and national teams.
However, the number of injured players does not prove that international football alone caused every problem. Some players entered camp with existing discomfort, while others suffered contact injuries that could occur in any match.
The larger concern is the cumulative workload created by club competitions, international matches, long-distance travel and limited recovery time.
Better information-sharing, individual training programmes and stricter return-to-play protocols could help clubs and national teams protect players more effectively.
Clubs Face an Anxious Wait
The complete impact of this international break will only become clear after players return to their clubs and undergo further medical tests.
Some, including Mbappé, Raphinha, Ødegaard and Eric García, may recover in time for the resumption of club football. Others, such as Musiala and potentially Havertz, could face longer periods on the sidelines.
With more international fixtures still to come, club managers will be watching every match nervously. The priority must be protecting players rather than rushing them through another game and risking a minor concern becoming a serious injury.
Follow Bangbet for the latest team news, injury updates, match previews and football betting markets. Always check confirmed line-ups and bet responsibly—predictions and odds do not guarantee a winning outcome.
