Kylian Mbappe’s latest game for France has rung the alarm bells at Real Madrid and in Spanish media. Although the French player joined the national team with a concern over his ankle, manager Didier Deschamps kept his captain on the pitch for almost the entirety of the match against Azerbaijan.
Mbappe scored one and assisted another in France’s 3–0 win, but the night ended with concern. He limped slightly after leaving the field, in the 83rd minute, and by the next morning France confirmed that he had left the squad to return to Madrid for medical tests.
In Spain, the reaction was immediate. AS called it a “recital y lesión” — a brilliant performance and a scare. They said Mbappé felt some discomfort towards the end of the match and asked to be subbed, a bad sign for someone who’d already arrived at the France camp with an ankle problem.
Estadio Deportivo even said Mbappé has Real Madrid on alert. He had previously missed a chunk of training at the beginning of the week and the club’s medical staff are monitoring his condition closely considering that big games are coming up.
El Español added that the whole international break “has Madrid and Barça on edge,” noting Mbappe travelled to Clairefontaine, the French football team’s training camp, with a minor ankle sprain but still started, a decision that “has not been well received in Madrid.”
Deschamps defends himself but Madrid aren’t convinced
Some outlets were even more direct. OK Diario quoted Deschamps as saying Kylian Mbappe “took another hit on the same ankle where he was injured before,” describing the coach’s tone as pessimistic.
They state Madrid are preparing themselves for the outcome that this could be a long-term issue. Deschamps however, has stood by this decision, stating “there was a clear communication with Madrid,” and that it is “just sensitivity,” not a real injury.
Anyway, few in Spain think Real Madrid are ok with the whole thing. Inside the club there’s quiet anger. Mbappé’s discomfort was already known before the call-up and now it could affect the team’s most important games of the season.
Madrid have Getafe on October 19, Juventus in the Champions League on October 22 and then El Clásico against Barça just four days later. Losing Mbappé for any of those games would be a disaster.
For now, Mbappe is back in Madrid for scans and treatment and everyone at Valdebebas is waiting for the results. The club has not made a statement. However, there is definitely some annoyance that they might lose their reliable star striker at such an early and defining stage of the season.
