Real Madrid superstar expected to start vs Villarreal after returning to Spain to continue recovery | OneFootball

Kylian Mbappe is already back in Madrid. The Real Madrid forward landed at Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport this morning accompanied by his partner, Ester Exposito, at 11:16am, according to AS.

Real Madrid were training at Valdebebas from 10:30 am, so it is clear that the Frenchman did not take part in that session.

However, he is expected at Valdebebas later today to continue his recovery and reconditioning after the knee problem he suffered, which will not prevent him from playing against Villarreal, the report further states.

What happened to Mbappe?

Mbappe suffered significant pain in his left knee during the first of France’s four matches during this international break. It was Zinedine Zidane’s debut as national team manager and the Real Madrid attacker scored the only goal of the match.

As he struck the ball, he felt the discomfort and requested for a substitution. At Real Madrid, they believe that had he continued, the problem could have required surgery.

The striker travelled to Spain to undergo tests, and the medical examination determined that he had “hyperextension of the posterior capsule of the left knee”.

As this was the same knee in which Mbappe suffered a serious sprain last season, there was concern at Valdebebas. However, the problem has proved to be minor and Mourinho is counting on Mbappe for the match against Villarreal on 10 October.

Active rest and recovery

After the tests, Mbappe was given permission to spend a few days on active rest under the supervision of Real Madrid’s medical staff.

Mbappe expected to start vs Villarreal. (Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images)

He spent just under a week away from Madrid as part of a recovery plan in which coordination between the player, coaching staff and doctors was complete.

The France captain is now expected at Valdebebas to gradually readjust to the rhythm of the rest of the squad as the internationals return to training, with Saturday’s match in mind, where he is expected to start.

This comes as good news for Jose Mourinho, who needs the Frenchman, who has scored eight goals this term, at his best to get Real Madrid’s season back on track.

After all, Real Madrid are six points behind Barcelona in La Liga and are approaching a crucial period of the season.