Monday evening, Alvaro Arbeloa was smiling. The Spanish media massively shared the reaction of the Real Madrid coach when Kylian Mbappé (27) joined the group on the pitch at the Etihad Stadium on the eve of the clash against Manchester City. The Iberian technician was delighted to find his top scorer (38 goals, 6 assists in 34 appearances in all competitions), absent for several weeks due to a knee problem. The striker was even able to bring him into play for 22 minutes during the 2-1 success against the English. Good news as the residents of the Santiago-Bernabéu stadium will approach the final sprint of the season. In the meantime, there will be the international break. Asked last Friday about his player, Arbeloa admitted that he did not yet know if his player would be with the Tricolores.
KM10 summoned with the Blues
“I want him to be there for the match against Atlético Madrid, and then we will see for the France team.” But that’s all we’ve seen since Didier Deschamps summoned his captain for the March rally during which the Blues will cross swords with Brazil (March 26) then Colombia (March 29). A choice justified by DD. “There is an important match against Atlético Madrid this Sunday where he should play. The protocol was respected, I spoke regularly with Kylian. There was no obligation for him to be present, although I thought I heard he had to be there for marketing. But from his side, it was clear that he wanted to be there with us as a player. We will already see how he feels after the match against Atlético.” A way to show respect for Real Madrid.
In Spain, the call-up of KM10, which has only just returned to the field, is inevitably getting people talking. Marca is not surprised. “Unsurprisingly, Kylian Mbappé is back in the French team. Didier Deschamps called him up for the friendly matches against Brazil and Colombia on March 26 and 29 in the United States, after seeing him play a few minutes on Tuesday at the Etihad Stadium. It was expected (…) His presence for this tour was never really called into question. Even with a minor injury, Mbappé would have made the trip due to the French team’s commercial commitments with Nike, with whom it is currently negotiating a new deal. The American campaign is crucial for France, and the Real Madrid player is its major asset.
The selection of “shame”
But the Spanish publication was still cautious. “Despite everything, the objective is to evaluate it as best as possible. At Real Madrid, we are following this closely, with La Liga and the Champions League match against Bayern Munich to be played, and no one wants to rush things. Deschamps and the medical staff are carefully monitoring his progress and do not intend to take any unnecessary risks.” Same for A.S.who is not surprised, but who believes that there are risks as we reach a turning point in the season. “We still don’t know what form Kylian Mbappé will be in for the two friendly matches. Real Madrid will play two titles in April, La Liga and the Champions League against Bayern Munich, and ideally, the French captain will not play the full 90 minutes against Brazil or Colombia.
A.S. concludes: “Deschamps and the medical staff of the national team are following his development on a daily basis and will not take any risks, even if the match against Brazil, also equipped by Nike, represents an important showcase before the World Cup (…) The Real Madrid striker does not plan to force himself to play during these matches. Everything will depend on his convalescence and the reaction of his knee during the derby against Atlético. On the side ofEl Chiringuitothe tone is different. Close to Real Madrid, journalist Edu Aguirre said: “it’s a shame”. But he added: “Real Madrid will not negotiate with the French national team to prevent Mbappé from leaving. The striker is on Deschamps’ list and will travel with France.
Real Madrid are not happy
Sport also mentions the subject. “The controversy begins: Mbappé summoned to the French team despite the concerns of Real Madrid. Recently recovered from his injury, the striker, who has commercial commitments with his selection, could play in the friendly matches against Brazil and Colombia (…) This decision relaunches a delicate debate in Valdebebas: the question of risk. Mbappé made his return against Manchester City after undergoing conservative treatment for his left knee ligament injury, a problem he has had since December and which forced him to stop after the match against Osasuna. At Real Madrid, we don’t want to rush things (the player missed five matches), but everything changes when it comes to the France team.
The Iberian media adds: “There is concern at Real Madrid. Footage from before the Champions League match, where the striker repeatedly touched his knee during the warm-up, did not escape criticism. This gesture fuels the feeling that his convalescence is far from over. The player will have the last word. This was already the case against City: it was he who decided to return to the field. Now, with the international break approaching, the footballer will have to choose, with the medical staff of the French team, between playing solely for commercial reasons or risking playing time during the two matches in Boston and Maryland. Given the current situation, Real Madrid would not be happy for their player to participate in friendlies, due to the risks involved. You will have understood, the presence of KM10 with the Blues is causing people to talk. In Madrid, Arbeloa and others have certainly lost their smile.
