Real Madrid worry over Mbappé

Real Madrid will be crossing their fingers tonight as they sit down in front of their televisions to see what happens at the Parc des Princes in Paris. There, the French national team faces Azerbaijan in their third qualifier for the 2026 World Cup.

On paper, it’s a routine match — the gulf in quality between the sides is enormous, and France, having won its first two games, sits comfortably atop the group. Yet, the real intrigue lies in whether Kylian Mbappé will start. Despite withdrawing from Real Madrid’s match against Villarreal with a sprained ankle and completing just one of France’s four training sessions this week, he appears determined to play.

It’s understandable that Madrid are anxious about the situation. Mbappé has scored 14 goals in ten games and has been responsible for 54% of Xabi Alonso’s team’s goals. He’s far from just another player — and with El Clásico against Barcelona looming on Sunday, October 26, any aggravation of his injury would be a nightmare.

Still, all signs point to the Parisian taking the field tonight. His appearance before the media yesterday was telling; it suggested he intends to play an active role during this international break.

“The clubs pay and they don’t want to lose their players. For us, the French national team is the most important thing. But there was clear communication with Madrid. I had an issue with my ankle, but I wanted to come. The club was understanding. There’s no problem — everything’s fine. I want to play and the coach wants me to play. I feel good, that’s all,” Mbappé said.

Deschamps, for his part, was more cautious, though he still left the door open to Mbappé starting: “The ankle is not serious. It’s more a matter of sensitivity. He has followed the planned program. If everything goes well, he’ll be available.”

In Madrid, the club assumes Mbappé intends to play; otherwise, they would have negotiated with the French Football Federation for his release. France’s two matches — against Azerbaijan and Iceland — aren’t decisive, but they do carry personal significance for Kylian.

With 52 international goals, he sits just five behind Olivier Giroud’s all-time French record of 57. A strong performance could see him return to Madrid as France’s outright top scorer. “The objective is to qualify... but if I can score, I’m not going to hold back. I want to equal Giroud, but it will come naturally,” he said yesterday.

There’s also his standing within the national team to consider. Last season, he voluntarily skipped a call-up to focus on adapting to Real Madrid, and Deschamps later left him out of the next squad.

That tension now seems to be behind them. Mbappé is wearing the iconic number 10 shirt once donned by Platini and Zidane, and he’s the team captain. Still, he knows it’s important to leave his mark while he’s in such exceptional form. “I’ve started well with both Real Madrid and the national team. I can still improve, and I’m working hard to do so,” he noted.

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Meanwhile, in Madrid, they’re doing all the praying they can — hoping Kylian’s ankle holds firm.

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