Tension between Zidane and Real Madrid over Mbappe

The relationship between France’s new national team coach, Zinedine Zidane, and his former club, Spanish side Real Madrid, entered an early crisis over the injury of French striker Kylian Mbappé, after the club expressed dissatisfaction with how the national team’s coaching and medical staff handled the player’s condition.

According to the French newspaper L’Equipe, Mbappé joined the “Les Bleus” training camp ahead of the UEFA Nations League matches while suffering from mild pain in his left knee, in the same area where he had previously experienced issues. Real Madrid had informed the national team’s medical staff about this before the international break.

The newspaper noted that Real Madrid hoped Mbappé’s case would be handled with the utmost caution, allowing the player adequate rest to prevent the problem from worsening. However, Zidane decided to start the French captain against Turkey in his first match in charge on Friday. Mbappé scored the only goal of the match, securing a victory for Zidane in his debut with the national team, before exiting the game injured.

After leaving the national team camp, Mbappé returned to Madrid, where he underwent examinations under the supervision of Real Madrid’s medical staff. In an official medical statement, the club announced that tests revealed the player had suffered a hyperextension of the posterior capsule of his left knee, adding that the next steps in his treatment and his return date would depend on the progression of his condition.

According to the Spanish newspaper AS, the tests indicated that Mbappé would be sidelined for 10 to 12 days, casting doubt on his availability for Real Madrid’s next La Liga match against Villarreal on October 10.

The report added that this expected absence does not rule out the player entirely from facing Villarreal, as his return to training and the match will depend on how his condition progresses during the rehabilitation period.