Real Madrid anxious about key forward ahead of national team fixture | OneFootball

According to AS, Real Madrid are anxious about star forward Kylian Mbappe as he prepares to take the field for France against Azerbaijan later tonight.

Les Bleus host the minnows in their third match of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign – a seemingly straightforward fixture given the gulf in quality between the two sides.

Yet, concern looms in Madrid as Mbappe may start the match despite only recovering from the ankle sprain he sustained against Villarreal.

Of France’s four training sessions this, Mbappe has fully participated in only one – on Thursday, having not participated in any of the previous sessions, focusing on his recovery.

But during a press conference on Thursday, the France captain confirmed that he is ready to play and wants to take the field.

Ready to play. (Photo by Mateusz Slodkowski/Getty Images)

“I want to play. And the coach wants me to play, so I think there won’t be any big problem. I feel like I’m in good shape. The coach and I talk a lot,” he had said.

“I haven’t trained yet, I’ll train today. This will be the final test. I’m not worried, I want to play and continue on this path towards qualifying for the World Cup.”

It is natural for Real Madrid to be slightly concerned, given how important Mbappe is to the team. The French superstar has already plundered 14 goals in ten games this season – his best start to a new campaign across his career.

Mbappe has accounted for 54% of Real Madrid’s goals this season and, as such, is absolutely indispensable. And with El Clasico against Barcelona fast approaching on October 26, the club fears any aggravation of his injury could be disastrous.

Despite this, all signs point to Mbappe starting tonight, something the player himself more or less confirmed.