Mbappé at centre of diplomatic stand-off as Real Madrid, French Football Federation and Nike press | OneFootball

Kylian Mbappé arrived in Madrid late on Sunday from Paris to assess a long-running knee issue and treatment options with trusted medics. He has seen French specialist Bertrand Sonnery-Cottet, known as Doctor Miracle, an orthopaedic surgeon at Centre Orthopédique Santy in Lyon whose patients include Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Mouctar Diakhaby.

The proposed plan is an intensive functional reconditioning programme, going beyond Real Madrid's conservative approach focused on quadriceps work. According to Superdeporte, Mbappé says the club's regimen has not eased pain or instability, and he fears the risk of a ligament rupture, as suffered by Rodrygo, persists.

The situation has triggered a diplomatic stand-off around the forward. Real Madrid want him for the Manchester City tie, at least for the return in Manchester, with suggestions he could even be on the Bernabéu bench on Wednesday to help the team and counter criticism after photos in Paris while team-mates lost to Getafe and laboured in Vigo.

The French Football Federation is urging caution, warning against a rush that could jeopardise his involvement at next summer's World Cup. Didier Deschamps has spoken to him in Paris and excused him from France's March fixtures on the United States tour.

Sponsor Nike is keen for him to front Les Bleus' visit to the United States, planning major activations built around Mbappé. It is not pushing for him to play, but does want his presence.

Mbappé joined Real Madrid to win major trophies, above all the European Cup. France want him to stay in Madrid and follow Sonnery-Cottet's timeline to be in peak condition for the World Cup, while Nike has a promotional campaign built around the tour. His choice will have consequences.

Source: Superdeporte