Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti speaks up on Kylian Mbappe’s fitness with Intercontinental Cup on the horizon: Reports
Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that Kylian Mbappe will travel with the Real Madrid squad to Qatar for the Intercontinental Cup next week. The French superstar is currently sidelined after picking up a knock during the 3-2 Champions League win over Atalanta in midweek.
Mbappe started the game at the Gewiss Stadium and even scored the opening goal. However, the 25-year-old had to be replaced in the first half after he appeared to pull a muscle.
Speaking to the press on Friday (December 13), as cited by GOAL, Ancelotti added that Kylian Mbappe will miss Los Blancos' game against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.
“Mbappe isn't anything very serious. He won't be there for the match [against Vallecano], [but] he'll travel to Qatar and see if he can play part of the [Intercontinental Cup] without risk,” said Ancelotti.
The Real Madrid manager was also at a loss of words when trying to explain the Frenchman's fitness issues.
“Hard to say where they come from. In the last two breaks he has been here, he has worked well and he has rested. His performance in recent times has improved a lot. Fortunately it is a small period and he will not lose what he has achieved lately,” said Ancelotti.
It was initially suggested that Mbappe had picked up a thigh issue and would be sidelined for 10 days. However, it now appears that the Frenchman could return sooner than expected.
How many games has Kylian Mbappe missed due to injuries for Real Madrid?
Kylian Mbappe has missed just one game due to injury this season for Real Madrid. The Frenchman joined Los Blancos as a free agent this summer after leaving Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
The player has endured a mixed start with the LaLiga giants and has struggled to live up to expectations at the Santiago Bernabeu. However, he has been an omnipresent figure under Carlo Ancelotti this season.
Kylian Mbappe has appeared in all but one game for Real Madrid since joining the club. He only missed the 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid in the league in September end, due to a muscle injury.
The Frenchman has registered 12 goals and two assists from 22 games across competitions for Los Blancos so far. Interestingly, he has scored four goals in his last six games, so he could be finally beginning to find his feet at the club. As such, Real Madrid will be desperate to get him back to full fitness.