As Mbappé's on active rest in clubs, Espí bags five for Spain U21s | OneFootball

There are many ways to make the most of a break. Kylian Mbappé is spending the “active rest” authorized by Real Madrid in Paris as he recovers from his knee injury, and the cameras have found him again. This time, going into the Boum Boum nightclub alongside Ester Expósito. Meanwhile, a few kilometers away and in shorts, Carlos Espí has found another way to get noticed: five goals for Spain Under-21.

The Real Madrid forward was the standout figure in the 0-13 win over San Marino. He not only scored five goals and added two assists in his first start for the Under-21s. His five strikes also set a new record for a Spanish player in a match at that level.

Espí, by the way, did not need all five to start knocking on José Mourinho’s door. The striker already has two goals for Real Madrid this season after playing barely 25 minutes in the league and without having started a game. His display for Spain comes precisely when the Portuguese coach may need alternatives up front.

Because Mbappé is still recovering from a hyperextension of the posterior capsule in his left knee, and his availability against Villarreal is not guaranteed. The club knows about it and has authorized this stage of his recovery to take place in Paris. The problem for the Frenchman is not disciplinary, therefore. It is one of image.

The moment brings back Mourinho’s words when Raúl Asencio was convicted after driving under the influence of alcohol: “A Real Madrid player is one 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 12 months a year.” He was talking about the center-back then. A month later, the phrase should apply to the Frenchman. We shall see.

Caught out at night again... with Ceuta still fresh in the memory

During that “active rest,” Mbappé was photographed entering Boum Boum, one of the well-known nightlife spots in the French capital. There he also ran into his former teammate Marco Verratti. Another night out caught on camera, once again surrounded by lenses, and another episode that, as on so many previous occasions, quickly sparked criticism from Madrid fans on social media.

The schedule does not help either. Real Madrid’s next league match will be against Villarreal at the Bernabéu, where Mbappé will return — if his knee allows it — with another recent episode still fresh.

He was one of the players who chose not to wear the shirt in support of Ceuta as it had been designed before the match against Elche. The Frenchman later explained his decision and showed his solidarity with the autonomous city, but the image fueled a controversy that also involved Vinícius and Konaté.

Meanwhile, Carlos Espí, a surprising summer signing who is giving the Madrid faithful more reason for hope every day, has knocked on the door. And this time he has done it pretty loudly. So loudly, in fact, that it remains to be seen whether he has ripped it off its hinges.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.