It was going on the way to a brilliant night for Kylian Mbappe and France on Friday. However, it ended with an all-too-familiar concern for both club and country. The Real Madrid star had dazzled throughout France’s 3-0 win against Azerbaijan as he scored the first goal for Les Bleus.
However, he was seen forced off in the closing minutes after appearing to reaggravate a recent ankle injury. The incident cast a shadow over an otherwise commanding display. Especially considering the setback has arrived only days before Real Madrid’s most crucial spell of the season.
Mbappe had already been dealing with ankle discomfort since Real Madrid’s 3-1 win against Villarreal. He was already a doubt heading into France’s World Cup qualifier. He even missed multiple training sessions during the week. Even so, Didier Deschamps decided to include him in the starting lineup.
Mbappe responded his selection with a stunning performance. He opened the scoring just before halftime, dribbling past six defenders. The 26-year-old even provided an assist to Adrien Rabiot for France’s second goal. But with just over ten minutes left, he went down clutching his ankle.
Also Read: Dani Olmo Injury Update: Could the Barcelona Star Miss El Clasico?
He then signaled to the bench that he could not continue. After the match, Deschamps confirmed, “He received another blow to the same ankle. The pain decreases when he rests. In a match, contacts are inevitably going to happen. We will assess it afterward.”
The coach added, “He has discomfort that is not ideal for him.” The forward was substituted in the 83rd minute and Florian Thauvin replaced him on the pitch. Mbappe was seen immediately headed down the tunnel. This sparked further concern among French as well as Real Madrid supporters alike.
According to early reports, the injury does not appear to be severe. However, Real Madrid will still assess the forward closely upon his return to Spain. The club’s medical team is expected to monitor his condition daily. They will ensure that he remains fit ahead of a demanding fixture list.
Los Blancos will face Getafe, Juventus, and Barcelona in quick succession. For manager Xabi Alonso, the priority will be balancing caution with necessity. Mbappe had a blistering start to the season. He has scored 17 goals and four assists in just 13 matches.
Naturally, it makes him indispensable. Even so, rushing him back could risk aggravating the injury further. Notably, his absence in the next few crucial matches including the El Clasico could dramatically alter their state, which is going favourably both in domestic and international front.
soccer 
